FEMA is stepping back from a key rule meant to protect public buildings from flood damage, a move experts say could put communities at risk. The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard required structures in flood zones to be rebuilt with future flooding in mind, but FEMA has quietly paused enforcement under a directive tied to President Trump’s executive order. Critics argue this not only threatens public safety but may also violate federal law. Without flood protections, taxpayers could be left footing the bill for rebuilding the same structures—again and again.
Why does it matter in Minot? Some more than others will remember the degree to which Minot accommodated FEMA’s policies following the 2011 flood. And many schools and public buildings are still at risk while our larger flood project is completed. The New York Times has the full story.
