The Flood-Protection Rule That Trump Rolled BackA Trump-era rollback of flood-protection rules has left infrastructure projects at higher risk

[j brown's body]

"In the summer of 2017, Donald Trump stood in the lobby of Trump Tower and declared he would heal a “massive self-inflicted wound on our country” by eliminating red tape that he said was making construction in America an arduous, expensive process.

One policy he eradicated that day was a set of standards aimed at ensuring that anything built with taxpayer money — including hospitals, sewage treatment plants, bridges and libraries — could withstand flooding and rising seas caused by climate change.

Seven years later and in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, federal officials and flood experts say Trump’s decision to roll back those federal infrastructure standards has had financial ramifications. Those are just starting to come into view as officials continue to tally the damage from the storms.

....Quantifying the effects of the standard’s seven-year absence is no easy feat. But Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, said “hundreds of millions if not billions” had been spent on buildings that are unprepared for intense floods.

...The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment. If he wins the White House in November, Trump is widely expected to again eliminate climate policies, including the flood standards. Carlos Curbelo, a Republican and former congressman from Miami, said doing so would be “reckless,” adding, “This is a great example of how ideology and trying to win the culture wars can get in the way of protecting property and saving taxpayers resources.”"

Link

Trust Trump, or the dreaded experts?

 

[longview]

So what buildings and infrastructure were lost that would not have been lost under the pre 2017 rules?

 

[j brown's body]

So what buildings and infrastructure were lost that would not have been lost under the pre 2017 rules?

What's an acceptable number for you?

 

[iguanaman]

So what buildings and infrastructure were lost that would not have been lost under the pre 2017 rules?

Any that were built without flood protection because of Trump of course. You miss the point entirely as usual. Safety and environmental standards are not red tape. They protect the owners and the public from needless harm.

 

[bongsaway]

"In the summer of 2017, Donald Trump stood in the lobby of Trump Tower and declared he would heal a “massive self-inflicted wound on our country” by eliminating red tape that he said was making construction in America an arduous, expensive process.

One policy he eradicated that day was a set of standards aimed at ensuring that anything built with taxpayer money — including hospitals, sewage treatment plants, bridges and libraries — could withstand flooding and rising seas caused by climate change.

Seven years later and in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, federal officials and flood experts say Trump’s decision to roll back those federal infrastructure standards has had financial ramifications. Those are just starting to come into view as officials continue to tally the damage from the storms.

....Quantifying the effects of the standard’s seven-year absence is no easy feat. But Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, said “hundreds of millions if not billions” had been spent on buildings that are unprepared for intense floods.

...The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment. If he wins the White House in November, Trump is widely expected to again eliminate climate policies, including the flood standards. Carlos Curbelo, a Republican and former congressman from Miami, said doing so would be “reckless,” adding, “This is a great example of how ideology and trying to win the culture wars can get in the way of protecting property and saving taxpayers resources.”"

Link

Trust Trump, or the dreaded experts?

I'll say it again, Republicans do not govern, they rule. Who benefited from trump rolling back those regulations, certainly not we the people. It was all done so those with could make more money at the expense of the common working person.

How many times and in how many different ways does trump have to show us, he does not care about you, he only wants your vote.

 

[Integrityrespec]

So what buildings and infrastructure were lost that would not have been lost under the pre 2017 rules?

I don't recall the exact stipulations regarding the previous Flood insurance requirements. What's the difference between then and now? Generally flood insurance is only required in certain areas and many of the areas in NC were not in a flood plain. As I said I'm not up on the government's policy so maybe someone can enlighten us all.

 

[longview]

Any that were built without flood protection because of Trump of course. You miss the point entirely as usual. Safety and environmental standards are not red tape. They protect the owners and the public from needless harm.

You misunderstand, the flood waters likely did not discriminate and took out bridges and structures built both before and after the change.
The question is what things that were taken out by the flood waters can you say for certain would not have been lost under the older standard?

 

[longview]

I don't recall the exact stipulations regarding the previous Flood insurance requirements. What's the difference between then and now? Generally flood insurance is only required in certain areas and many of the areas in NC were not in a flood plain. As I said I'm not up on the government's policy so maybe someone can enlighten us all.

I do not think this is about insurance but building codes.

 

[Lursa]

Any that were built without flood protection because of Trump of course. You miss the point entirely as usual. Safety and environmental standards are not red tape. They protect the owners and the public from needless harm.

One of the solid party divides on issues is de-regulation. This is a fundamental perspective that divides right and left, and the right doesnt seem to understand it when they complain, "what did DonOld do that hurt you?" "Are you better off now than under DonOld?"

The left is focused more on the future, not just having our immediate needs served, cash in hand. We're willing to invest in others and invest in the future and those generations.

De-regulation increases risks in safety and environmental damage. From food, to drinkable water, to worker safety to preserving land and preventing pollution. The right just "wants theirs now!"

 

[iguanaman]

One of the solid party divides on issues is de-regulation. This is a fundamental perspective that divides right and left, and the right doesnt seem to understand it when they complain, "what did DonOld do that hurt you?" "Are you better off now than under DonOld?"

The left is focused more on the future, not just having our immediate needs served, cash in hand. We're willing to invest in others and invest in the future and those generations.

De-regulation increases risks in safety and environmental damage. From food, to drinkable water, to worker safety to preserving land and preventing pollution. The right just "wants theirs now!"

It's really a knee jerk reaction that protects their benefactors and the sheep dutifully follow through. Trump is a really just the final stage of something that has been going on for decades. They have been lying and pandering to the wealthy openly since Obama was elected. Now they have fully surrendered every single one of their "beliefs" to fall for a billionaire grifter who has the Midas touch in reverse. Everything he touches turns to shit.

 

[longview]

I remember this now.
Trump Rolls Back Obama-Era Flood Standards For Infrastructure Projects

The executive order was meant to protect taxpayer dollars spent on projects in areas prone to flooding and to improve "climate resilience" across the U.S. — that is, communities' ability to cope with the consequences of global warming.
President Barack Obama signed the order in 2015, but the changes have not taken effect; FEMA has been soliciting input and drafting new rules.

So what was changed was an executive order that had not gone into effect yet.
Do we know if anything in the Helene flood would have been changed?
Since this is mostly about sea level rise and the risks associated with it, let's look at how much the
sea level has risen in Saint Petersburg, FL since 2017, NOAA has an official gauge there.
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/data/8726520_meantrend.txt
The high reading for 2017 was 0.149 meters
So far for 2024 the high reading was 0.170 meters
A increase of 21 mm. in a century this would amount to a 1 foot sea level rise, but since 2017 it is less than 1 inch.

 

[Lord of Planar]

What's an acceptable number for you?

That does not speak of any details.

I suspect this is more lies.

 

[Lord of Planar]

Any that were built without flood protection because of Trump of course. You miss the point entirely as usual. Safety and environmental standards are not red tape. They protect the owners and the public from needless harm.

So we are at a hypothetical with no fact.

Great!

 

[Lord of Planar]

Any that were built without flood protection because of Trump of course. You miss the point entirely as usual. Safety and environmental standards are not red tape. They protect the owners and the public from needless harm.

What if that number is zero?

 

[iguanaman]

What if that number is zero?

Because Trump crashed the construction industry? You don't get points for that. Fascists do not care what damage they do. They will just lie about it.

 

[CaughtInThe]

When does Trump ever NOT create chaos?

And that chaos HURTS REPUBLICAN FAMILIES.

Idiots

 

[Lord of Planar]

Because Trump crashed the construction industry?

How? Please explain the specifics.

You don't get points for that. Fascists do not care what damage they do.

Name-calling... You lose.

They will just lie about it.

Do you even know that the changes in standards are? According to what I read, Trump rolled back the construction standards in flood planes back to 1977 standards. The standards set by Obama, and by executive order rather than by congress, were removed.

Can you cite the difference, or are you just reciting an article because it bashes Trump?

I think your side is lying.

 

[longview]

How? Please explain the specifics.

Name-calling... You lose.

Do you even know that the changes in standards are? According to what I read, Trump rolled back the construction standards in flood planes back to 1977 standards. The standards set by Obama, and by executive order rather than by congress, were removed.

Can you cite the difference, or are you just reciting an article because it bashes Trump?

I think your side is lying.

But the standards had not taken effect yet, and were still in review, so NOTHING was reversed.

 

[Lord of Planar]

But the standards had not taken effect yet, and were still in review, so NOTHING was reversed.

LOL.

I must have missed that. Comments were due on 12/27/2016. Maybe there were too many negative ones.