- A Lehigh Valley area has been earmarked by federal officials to receive additional support to fight climate change
- It's the only tract in the region to be designated
- The area has been hit hard by flash flooding
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A section of Northampton County has been earmarked as one of almost 500 census tracts throughout the U.S. to receive increased federal support, an effort aimed at building resilience to climate change.
Designated as “Tract 011300,” the area stretches north from Hellertown and to the east of Fountain Hill along the Lehigh River, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website.
It appears to cover parts of South Bethlehem, Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township, and is designated as a “Community Disaster Resilience Zone.”
“These designations will help ensure that the most at-risk communities are able to build resilience against natural hazards and extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly intense and frequent due to climate change."FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell
“These designations will help ensure that the most at-risk communities are able to build resilience against natural hazards and extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly intense and frequent due to climate change,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell in a Friday news release. “This aligns with Congress’ direction and other FEMA initiatives to get federal support and resources to the communities that need them most.”
This first round of designations included 483 tracts across the country, according to the release. The effort stemmed from Congress’ Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act of 2022, legislation aimed to help build resilience to natural hazards in communities most at-risk due to climate change. The tract was the only area in the Lehigh Valley to receive the designation, but officials said additional designations are slated for the next 12 to 18 months.
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The Northampton County tract satisfies both of the criteria to be included in the program, according to FEMA.
“The composite National Risk Index score ranks in the top 50 nationally or in the top 1% within their state,” according to the agency’s website. “It is identified as a disadvantaged community by the Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool.”
FEMA’s National Risk Index “includes data about the expected annual losses to individual natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience, available at county and census tract levels,” according to the agency.
“Designated zones will be prioritized for targeted federal support, such as increased cost-share for resilience and mitigation projects, lessening the financial burden on communities to perform resilience-related activities,” officials said.
Word of the designation comes a day after officials in the Bethlehem area called for beefed-up measures to counter the effects of climate change.
The Valley this summer has seen smoke from Canadian wildfires and flash flooding — both events exacerbated and worsened by climate change.
The cost of damages from the July 16 flash floods across the region have eclipsed $10 million, according to previous reports. However, current damage estimates are less than 50% of the $23 million benchmark of a Disaster Declaration needed for the funding. More than a dozen public entities reported municipal damages.
