Maryland AG States Flood Protections at Risk After Trump Administration Cuts FEMA Disaster Funds

A lawsuit filed by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and 19 other state attorneys general alleges that the Trump administration unlawfully terminated billions of dollars in disaster mitigation funding. Per the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, the federal cuts to FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program jeopardize projects across the nation—including flood protection efforts in Crisfield and South Baltimore.

The BRIC program, which has been a core part of FEMA’s mitigation strategy for over three decades, was established to help communities prepare for natural disasters through infrastructure improvements. In Maryland, over $80 million in BRIC funds were allocated from 2020 to 2023 for essential projects like evacuation shelters, flood walls, and stormwater upgrades. These projects are now in limbo after the federal decision to halt the program. Without these funds, communities may face greater risk and higher future costs from climate-related disasters.

The multistate legal challenge argues that the administration’s move violates federal law and bypasses required Congressional oversight. It further claims the termination order came from an unconfirmed FEMA official, raising questions about the legitimacy of the decision. The coalition is seeking court orders to block the diversion of BRIC funds and reinstate the program to ensure states can continue vital pre-disaster work.

In Crisfield and South Baltimore, the consequences are immediate. Planned mitigation work is now at risk of being delayed or canceled entirely, which could leave vulnerable neighborhoods exposed to rising floodwaters and storm damage. The lawsuit highlights a broader concern: without BRIC funding, communities nationwide will face increased risks and higher recovery costs from events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General

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