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Flood Relief Grants

Many government flood relief grant programs have been phased out since the passage of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 requiring homeowners to purchase flood insurance if their property lies within a high risk flood zone and they have a federally backed mortgage. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the combination of mandatory insurance coverage for the highest risk areas and floodplain management requirements reduces flood damage by about $1 billion a year.

  1. Federal Grant Programs

    • Currently, FEMA offers the only federal grant programs for individual flood relief. Its Individual and Household Grant program offers grants for housing needs and other needs, such as flood-related medical costs or replacement furniture. FEMA makes these grants available to residents of designated flood areas participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA also offers the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program. If you lost your job due to flood, FEMA will provide unemployment benefits from the date unemployment due to flood began and continuing up to 26 weeks once the President issues a disaster declaration. The program serves those employed in areas not covered by standard unemployment benefit programs such as farmers and seasonal workers.

    State Grants

    • Your state may offer grants out of funds it receives from federal agencies. These are called flow through funds. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides states with funds from its Community Development Block Grant program to fund projects, including flood mitigation, in rural communities. FEMA provides states with funds from its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to distribute to individuals affected by a flood. Using these funds, the state of Mississippi offered grants of up to $4,000 for those affected by its spring tornadoes and flood to construct single-family storm shelters or safe rooms.

    Local Governments Grants

    • Your local government may offer grants, as well. The city of Nashville, Tennessee offers the Metropolitan Nashville Government Employee Flood Relief Fund, a one-time grant program for city employees affected by floods. To learn if your city offers a flood relief grant program, contact the city planning department.

    Community Organization Grants

    • Local community organizations provide another avenue of funding for flood victims. Some groups offer grants to organizations, others to individuals. For example, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee offers grants from its Metro Nashville Disaster Response Fund to relief and restoration organizations. Another Nashville organization, The Housing Fund, also created the "We Are Home" grant program to help its residents rebuild after the 1,000 year flood event that occurred in May 2010. Check with your local American Red Cross and/or Salvation Army chapter for information on local grant funds in your city.

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