This news item came out yesterday, but may have slipped under your radar. Apparently, it was even under the radar of many of the people who will be affected. FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) now says that it will no longer reimburse many local levee and drainage districts for cleanup costs after a flood.

In the past, levees that were built and maintained according to government standards could count on funding from FEMA in the event of a flood. Cleaning up debris and de-watering (pumping out the flood waters) are often the biggest expense.

But now – FEMA says any drainage district in its Rehabilitation and Inspection Program won’t receive reimbursement for things like flood-fighting, flood clean-up and debris removal.

Why the sudden change? That’s not clear. What little I have found online about this issue indicates the change was made quietly and FEMA did not solicit any input from the levee and drainage districts themselves. Missouri Senator Kit Bond is calling the move an “outrage” and has already released a statement.

One thing is certain – the Red Cross will continue to be there to provide support and relief during flooding. No one can control Mother Nature, but we can get prepared for those events we know are prone to happen. Click here for more about preparing for a flood at your home.