Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has highlighted the importance of flood mitigation investments in a recent op-ed published in The Advocate. He pointed to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report which shows that for every dollar spent on federal flood mitigation projects, communities see a return of $2 to $3 in reduced damages.

"The best way to recover from a storm is never to flood at all," wrote Dr. Cassidy, emphasizing the significance of these investments for families in Louisiana and across the country.

Cassidy has been advocating for federal investment in flood mitigation during his time in Congress, securing billions through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). "The funding secured through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a game-changer," he stated.

The IIJA has allocated over $5.5 billion for disaster mitigation, coastal restoration, and flood risk reduction efforts, with hundreds of millions directed towards coastal resiliency grants in Louisiana alone. Recently, an additional $206 million was announced from FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance program for various projects across Louisiana.

In 2023, Louisiana received over $207 million from FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities grants. These funds were used for multiple projects aimed at enhancing resilience against future storms.

Cassidy also addressed the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which faces challenges due to skyrocketing premiums under Risk Rating 2.0. He called for NFIP reform to make it affordable for homeowners and sustainable for the future.

"As the new CBO report shows, investment in flood mitigation pays off — again and again," concluded Dr. Cassidy, stressing that while progress has been made with IIJA funds, further action on NFIP reform is necessary.

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