Crisfield, Maryland, a small town on the edge of Chesapeake Bay, is facing an uncertain future as rising floodwaters threaten to swallow its streets and homes. Once hopeful for a lifeline through a federal disaster relief program, the community now feels abandoned after FEMA canceled nearly $1 billion in funding designed to help small towns like Crisfield prepare for and prevent flooding.
Crisfield Mayor Darlene Taylor explained how the town’s survival depends on controlling the rising waters. The town of 2,500 residents relies heavily on federal grants to fund flood protection projects because its annual budget is only around $4 million. Without outside help, Taylor fears the town’s citizens, homes, and way of life are at serious risk.
“This funding was our best chance to protect our community,” Taylor said. “Now we are pretty much devastated.”
The hope came through a grant program called Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, established during the Trump administration. This program aimed to provide rural and vulnerable communities with funds to better prepare for natural disasters like floods and wildfires. In July last year, Crisfield was awarded $36 million to begin a significant flood protection initiative, including tidal barriers, pump stations, and wetland restoration.
At first, everything seemed aligned for success. But after President Trump returned to office in January with a focus on shrinking the federal government, FEMA abruptly canceled disaster-preparedness funding on April 4. The agency labeled the BRIC program “wasteful and ineffective,” despite experts strongly disputing that claim.
As a result, all remaining funds from 2020 through 2023 were pulled back and returned to the Disaster Relief Fund or Treasury. The 2024 funding round, which was expected to provide $750 million, was canceled just days before applications were due.
This reversal left many states around Chesapeake Bay scrambling. Nearly $1 billion in BRIC grants were intended to support roughly 350 projects across six states and the District of Columbia. Among the biggest losses were $32 million for wetland restoration near Baltimore’s Patapsco River, $2.7 million to buy flood-prone properties in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and $20 million to protect a wastewater treatment plant in Washington, D.C.
The situation in Crisfield is especially dire. The town lacks the resources to protect itself without federal aid. Flooding could become so severe by 2050 that daily traffic and commutes could grind to a halt. Local residents have tried to prepare by participating in a “resilience academy” to learn more about flood risks and solutions, but the canceled funding has left them with little hope.
FEMA’s decision drew sharp criticism from experts and lawmakers. The Association of State Floodplain Managers emphasized that every dollar spent on flood mitigation can return up to eight dollars in benefits. Its executive director, Chad Berginnis, called FEMA’s claim that the BRIC program was ineffective “flat-out lies.” A Republican-led task force had also recommended reforms to make the program easier for smaller communities to access, but did not suggest ending it.
Even politicians on both sides of the aisle expressed concern. Maryland Representative Sarah Elfreth said flooding does not discriminate based on politics, and Democratic leaders warned the cancellation would leave communities vulnerable. Meanwhile, Maryland Congressman Andy Harris, a Republican and chair of the House Freedom Caucus who represents Crisfield, said his office was seeking clarity on FEMA’s abrupt decision. Harris has previously supported Crisfield’s flood resilience efforts.
Many of the towns affected, including Crisfield, have strong support for Trump. In the town’s main precinct, Trump won by a 56 percent margin in recent elections. Yet these same voters now face the consequences of funding cuts made during Trump’s return to office, fueling feelings of betrayal.
Local leaders and residents fear the canceled grants could stall or halt critical flood projects already underway. Maryland officials estimate the state alone could lose over $80 million in approved projects. Projects in nearby Virginia and Pennsylvania are also affected. Some communities invested millions in planning and design that are now at risk.
Barbara Mete, who moved to Crisfield six years ago, expressed frustration at the political nature of the decision. “Nature is the key,” she said. “If we take care of her, she will take care of us.”
As sea levels rise and climate-related disasters increase, small towns like Crisfield face difficult choices. Without federal support, they are left to weather the growing threat on their own. The people who once supported Trump’s promises of strong leadership now feel forsaken as the waters rise around them.
