U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Strategic Acquisition & Floodplain Efficiency Reform (SAFER) Act, legislation that would accelerate pre-disaster mitigation activities, including so called “buyouts” of flood prone homes.
Since 2015, North Carolina has experienced multiple hurricanes and severe flood events, highlighted by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, and Senator Tillis has worked to secure billions of dollars in federal funds to help North Carolina communities recover from these storms. The SAFER Act would authorize the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a pilot program that would leverage public-private partnerships to expedite pre-disaster mitigation projects.
“North Carolina unfortunately has extensive experience dealing with major flooding events that have destroyed thousands of homes over the last few years,” said Senator Tillis. “It is clear some areas of North Carolina have a higher likelihood of flooding and we need to act now to prevent potential damage before the next storm hits. I am proud to introduce this legislation that will allow HUD to create a pilot program to establish public-private partnerships for mitigation activities to help North Carolina families avoid catastrophic damage to their homes.”