Over the past five years, South Carolina has been hit by six major flood-related disasters that, combined, have cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. People and their properties across Palmetto are vulnerable to flooding, but a new law, signed on September 29 by Governor Henry McMaster (R), is an important step in reducing that risk and the costs associated with natural disasters . The Disaster Resilience and Relief Act, which was passed by the South Carolina Legislature with bipartisan support, will stimulate state and local disaster planning and create two programs to finance flood risk reduction projects across the state.
An important provision in the new law creates an Office of Resilience, making South Carolina one of the few states to establish this level of government agency with a focus on preparing and reducing the impacts of floods. Informed by current and future flood risk models, a state plan overseen by a resilience officer (CRO) can help state and local decision makers to coordinate disaster mitigation and preparedness. This plan can also be instrumental in aligning financing flows and directing investments towards flood mitigation projects across the state.
State-level planning and coordination are important to improve understanding of local and regional vulnerability to flooding and can inform better land use decisions, how to avoid construction in flood-prone areas and ensure that development does not exacerbate flooding downstream. Regional planning can also generate cooperative mitigation solutions – such as the restoration of flood plains that result in networks of parks and greenways – that benefit multiple communities within a river basin.
The CRO will also help target and implement the new flood mitigation initiatives created by legislation: the Disaster Relief and Resilience Reserve Fund and the South Carolina Revolving Resilience Fund. These programs will support a variety of climate reduction projects. flood risk that can ultimately save state taxpayer dollars. This includes helping local governments repeatedly buy flooded homes from willing owners – such as those in the Socastee community of Horry County, which has suffered several floods in recent years – so they can move out of danger. These properties would then be converted into permanent green spaces, restoring the floodplain’s ability to absorb excess water. These types of projects are smart investments; research shows that every $ 1 invested in pre-disaster mitigation saves society an average of $ 6 in future disaster costs.
It is important to note that the programs follow the recommendations of the state’s Floodwater Commission – created by Governor McMaster to develop strategies to address the threats posed by severe storms – to prioritize the use of nature-based flood solutions to protect communities and infrastructure. Research suggests that natural defenses, such as swamps or living shorelines – which use rocks, sand, oyster shells or vegetation to absorb excess water and stabilize shorelines – can often be effective and cost-effective prevention measures. From Charleston to Greenville, communities in South Carolina are adopting natural solutions to decrease the risk of flooding, including restoring the Reedy River to decrease and disperse floodwater and creating parks and green spaces in West Ashley to absorb rainwater.
Nature-based projects also benefit South Carolina’s economy and environment. Swamps and living coastlines can help improve water quality, provide habitat for fish and crustaceans and protect state beaches. And preserving or restoring undeveloped areas can increase opportunities for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation.
Finally, the new law requires municipalities to include a resilience component in their comprehensive local plans, which guide future growth and development within a community. This measure will extend consideration of future flood risk in planning and investment to various levels of government and allow employees to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
These efforts – combining funding for pre-disaster mitigation activities with a statewide resilience plan – led by the new resilience office will help protect state resources and residents from the next round of storms and floods. Legislators must now take the next step and provide robust and dedicated funding for these important forward-looking programs.
Yaron Miller is an officer on The Pew Charitable Trusts’ flood-prepared communities initiative.