Federal reductions to the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) programme jeopardise over $9 million in funding, putting vital infrastructure and hazard mitigation projects across Kentucky at risk.
Federal reductions to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) programme are set to place a number of local projects in Kentucky in jeopardy. The BRIC initiative provides critical funding aimed at enabling communities to strengthen infrastructure and prepare for severe weather events before they occur. The recent cuts will affect over $9 million in grant funding meant for projects across the state.
Carey Johnson, a floodplain manager and founding member of the Kentucky Association of Mitigation Managers, highlighted the wide-reaching impact of these financial setbacks. Speaking to WEKU, Johnson explained, “That's a big blow to communities across the state, like Jeffersontown, Salt Lick, Floyd County, Powell County, Franklin County, that have had some of those projects awarded that they now will not be able to, well, not only not move forward with, but not implement at all.”
He emphasised the critical nature of the federal funding, noting that BRIC grants make up approximately 75% of hazard mitigation money used by state and local governments. “There certainly can be pivots to other authorised programs, potentially, that would come from the federal level. But simply stated, without federal inputs, mitigation at the state and the local level will come to a standstill,” Johnson said.
FEMA has issued a national statement criticising the BRIC programme, characterising it as “wasteful and ineffective” and suggesting that it has been “more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters.” In light of the federal cuts, Johnson expressed hope that the funds could be reallocated through another federal programme after a period of organisational restructuring.
The reduction of funding to the BRIC programme underscores significant challenges for Kentucky communities intending to advance their resilience against natural hazards through infrastructure improvements and hazard mitigation efforts. As these projects face uncertainty, local officials and mitigation managers are considering alternative federal funding routes to maintain momentum in disaster preparedness.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references current federal budget reallocations impacting FEMA's BRIC programme and cites recent funding developments affecting Kentucky. There is no indication that individuals named have changed positions or passed away. No evidence of recycled or outdated content was found online; the topic appears timely given ongoing federal budget discussions around disaster mitigation funding.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
A direct quote by Carey Johnson, a floodplain manager and founding member of the Kentucky Association of Mitigation Managers, is included and attributed clearly. The statement was reportedly made to WEKU, a public radio station, suggesting an original primary source interview rather than recycled content. No earlier online trace of these exact quotes was found, indicating likely original remarks.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative references statements from FEMA, a credible federal agency, and includes local expert commentary. However, the publication platform is not specified, limiting certainty about editorial standards. The presence of direct quotes from known officials and named organisations supports moderate reliability. Absence of a well-known publisher reduces the confidence margin slightly.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about reductions in FEMA BRIC funding and their implications for local mitigation projects in Kentucky are consistent with known federal budgetary challenges and FEMA programme adjustments. The impact outlined aligns with FEMA’s established role in hazard mitigation funding. While the critical statements attributed to FEMA reflect a strong editorial tone that might warrant verification, the overall scenario is plausible and consistent with current federal-local funding dynamics.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents a timely and plausible account of funding cuts to FEMA's BRIC programme affecting Kentucky communities, supported by original quotes from a local expert and references to FEMA. No evidence of recycling or outdated information was found, and the information aligns with typical federal budget impacts on disaster mitigation. While the source's editorial reliability is moderate due to lack of publication specifics, the factual content and plausibility remain strong.
