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NJ balks over stormwater fix that works elsewhere

Jon Hurdle

October 24, 2022 |

NJ Spotlight |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Flood-prone cities in the United States are turning to stormwater utility projects that charge landowners based on the amount of impervious surface on their property. The money earned from the fees is used to build green infrastructure that allows rainwater to seep into the ground instead of overwhelming storm drains and sewage systems.

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How a Community in Vieques is Responding to the Landfill Crisis in Puerto Rico

Camille Padilla Dalmau María E. Ocasio Torres

October 21, 2022 |

9 Millones |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Puerto Rico, Vieques

The island of Vieques’ community composting program, Isla Nena Composta, collects vegetative debris after hurricanes, processes it, and composts it to reduce the strain on local landfills.

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After her farm flooded, this B.C. farmer went looking for solutions

Matt Simmons

October 18, 2022 |

The Narwhal |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, British Columbia

Local farmers, government officials, and nonprofits, including the faith-based conservation organization A Rocha Canada, partnered to prevent further loss of land due to flooding. They planted fast-growing plants, like willow and cottonwood shoots, into the eroded bank to replicate the ecosystem before agriculture and development cleared the land. The method — low-tech riparian restoration – is a cost-effective approach that has mitigated land erosion due to flooding. The project also helped to bridge longstanding divides between participants.

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Planting trees – and hope – in a flood-prone Nigerian town

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi

October 18, 2022 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Igbajo, Osun

The community-formed Igbajo Development Association has spent years planting 50,000 trees to help protect the community from severe weather and flooding.

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‘Pretty remarkable': How Florida got power back for 2 million after Ian

Noah Robertson

October 11, 2022 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

After 15 years of fortifying the electric grid with swaps like concrete and steel electric poles and underground power lines, Florida utility companies were able to restore power to residents after Hurricane Ian faster than any previous storm.

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In Recovery, Helping Communities Rebuild After Flooding

Katie Myers

September 16, 2022 |

WMMT |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Kentucky

When severe flooding hit Kentucky, the bakery at the Hemphill Community Center continued to pay its workers to do community support and flood recovery work instead of their typical jobs. The bakery is a recovery-to-work program for people facing addiction, so keeping their jobs and a sense of community helps them continue recovering despite stressful circumstances.

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In Pa., climate change can increase flooding risk in places that rarely worried about it. This community is seeking solutions

Rachel McDevitt

September 13, 2022 |

StateImpact Pennsylvania |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Dubuque, Iowa

Increased flooding from storms labeled federal disasters led Dubuque, Iowa, to daylight, or uncover, a creek that was buried and turned into a sewer. This project combined with rain gardens and detention ponds to trap storm water prevents flooding.

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Pace of Harris County home buyouts slower than hoped for after Hurricane Harvey

Sara Willa Ernst

August 24, 2022 |

Texas Standard |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Harris County, Texas

Harris County Flood Control District voluntary buyout program, funded by FEMA, allowed the local government to purchase entire clusters of homes in floodplains that they will repurpose for public projects that will also mitigate flood damage in the future. The district has completed almost 750 buyouts, far below buyouts in previous years, but 5,000 properties are still on the buyout list. Residents receive payments for their homes and coverage of fees like closing costs, moving costs and a variety of bonuses. Some homeowners can also receive down payment assistance and closing costs on a new home.

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Flood control goes green: How Houston is using nature to combat flooding

Katie Watkins

August 16, 2022 |

Houston Public Media |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Several areas in Texas are using public green spaces and nature preserves as ways to mitigate or reduce flooding. Exploration Green is one example of a project that reclaimed nature in an urban area by creating five ponds, each of which can hold up to 100 million gallons of floodwater while also supporting native plants, animals, and trails for hiking.

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WA's Nooksack River has been sounding the alarm, and people are finally listening

Rochelle Gluzman

August 15, 2022 |

InvestigateWest |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

After being hit by two natural disasters in one year, cities, Indigenous tribes, and government agencies in Whatcom County on the Nooksack River are working together to create a new plan to deal with flood risk and salmon restoration. The Floodplain Integrated Planning team is overcoming distrust among its partners to build a more holistic plan that incorporates tested solutions like fish-friendly floodgates, levee repairs, and property buyouts to remove homes that will continue to be flooded in the future.

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