Trump administration pressures coastal communities to evict homeowners from flood-prone areas

March 12, 2020

The Trump administration is using the threat of withholding federal money to force communities threatened by climate change-induced flooding to evict homeowners living in flood zones, according to the New York Times.

Reporter Christopher Flavelle found that local governments seeking federal money to help people leave flood zones must first commit to using eminent domain to evict people who refuse to move.

Eminent domain allows government entities, from federal to local, to condemn property for public projects.

Through public records quests and interviews with officials, the Times found that some local governments have agreed to do so if necessary, while others are mulling the choice.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has pushed for the inclusion of eminent domain options for all flood-control projects since 2015.

The eminent domain solution to flooding could eventually make its way to Indiana.

Climate change has caused an average increase of 5.6 inches of precipitation per year in the state, and cities that have not already begun planning for increased flooding will soon have to factor that reality in to their master plans.

Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute has several tools for communities use to prepare for climate change.

The Environmental Resilience Institute Toolkit helps community leaders stay informed about the effects of climate change, adaptation strategies, case studies and funding opportunities.

The Hoosier Resilience Index makes available community-specific information like precipitation, flood plain and land use maps, for every community in the state of Indiana.

You can find out if your home lies in a flood plain here.

Trump administration pressures coastal communities to evict homeowners from flood-prone areas

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