Twenty states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that its decision to end FEMA funding for disaster mitigation programs has left communities vulnerable to natural disasters. The legal action comes as officials in New Jersey, which is among the states involved, report severe flooding along Route 22, an area that has long been at risk from extreme weather events.
FEMA announced in April 2018 that it was ending the funding, citing the need to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in its disaster relief efforts. The program had been in place for decades and was credited with saving taxpayers over $150 billion over its 20-year history. Critics, including the states that filed the lawsuit, argue that the program played a vital role in preventing costly damage, particularly in regions prone to flooding and other climate-related hazards.
New Jersey officials have expressed alarm over the recent flooding on Route 22, stating that the abrupt termination of funding has left local governments without the resources to adequately prepare for and respond to natural disasters. The lawsuit seeks to restore the funding and ensure that the program continues to protect communities from the growing threats posed by climate change and extreme weather events.