FEMA Backlog Stalls $191M in Critical California Resiliency Projects
FEMA delays on over $191M in California infrastructure projects leave southern communities vulnerable to floods, fires, and earthquakes as funding stalls.
POLICY WIRE — Sacramento, California — The Federal Emergency Management Agency is currently struggling to process approvals for vital safety initiatives in Southern California valued at over $191 million. This administrative bottleneck is hindering efforts designed to safeguard the region against the impacts of landslides, fires, earthquakes, and flooding.
The stalled works are designated under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, commonly known as BRIC. The Government Accountability Office has spent the past year evaluating the performance and management of this specific federal initiative.
Chris Currie, the director of the GAO’s Homeland Security and Justice team, noted that the new administration abruptly terminated the BRIC program in March 2025. Currie stated that there was little clear justification for the move, observing that the agency labeled the program as wasteful despite making the decision in a hurried and disorganized fashion without thorough consideration.
In response to the cancellation, California and 19 other states filed legal action against the federal government. This litigation culminated in the spring of 2026 when a federal judge issued an order requiring FEMA to reinstate the program operations.
While FEMA previously announced that BRIC was back in operation, emergency management sources indicated that the agency has not authorized any pending California projects during the current calendar year. Furthermore, disbursements for projects that were already funded are moving at a sluggish pace.
A September report from the GAO highlights that the national backlog for such projects has reached a $2.2 billion mark. Currie attributed these hurdles to inflation, rising material costs, and increased labor expenses.
Currie further explained that many initiatives hit a standstill because the costs had doubled compared to original estimates, necessitating significant rework.
Local officials in California expressed similar anxieties, reporting that some municipalities were forced to abandon their BRIC projects entirely because of the ongoing delays.
California currently holds the highest volume of pending projects in the nation, with some submissions dating back to 2022. One example is a $15 million flood control initiative located in San Bernardino.
A spokesperson for San Bernardino County, who declined a live interview, issued a written statement asserting they maintain a functional partnership with FEMA and Cal OES. The county noted that they received notice in April that funding was progressing, marked by a Final Public Notice.
The county clarified that their original application accounted for cost increases over five years, and they believe the project will stay within that budget. They stated the work is in the design phase and is ready for construction once the funds arrive.
Several counties awaiting these funds claimed they have received minimal communication since the program was restarted this year regarding the status of their applications or expected next steps.
The situation is exacerbated for some counties that are also waiting on reimbursements for hazard mitigation funds promised following previous natural disasters. Sources noted that these payment delays are creating severe financial strain for rural areas.
Emergency management experts suggested that the FEMA staff dedicated to California projects has been drastically reduced, which may lead to further setbacks.
Currie warned that these delays leave California residents in a vulnerable position. He emphasized that the longer a resiliency project remains unfinished, the higher the risk stays, noting that the primary goal of these works is to mitigate danger which remains present if the projects are not completed.
In Orange County, a BRIC grant supported the first phase of a project to construct vegetated dunes and an elevated berm to shield Capistrano Beach from severe flooding.
The county stated that the construction phase, valued at $9,377,094 by FEMA, is set to begin next year.
However, experts worry that the second phase of the Capistrano project and others could be delayed significantly, a major concern given the heavy flooding that hit the coast this year.
In October, Orange County Parks secured an additional $2.4 million grant to assist with the BRIC-related work. A spokesperson for OC Parks explained that these Ocean Protection Council funds are intended to supplement, rather than replace, the federal support for the Nature Based Shoreline project.
Local residents are calling for the acceleration of beach restoration. Natalie Driessen, a homeowner in Capistrano Beach, expressed frustration over the national delays, calling the situation unfair and sad.
Driessen described how the shoreline near her home has changed since she moved there three years ago. Her residence currently bears a yellow tag due to damage, and she is seeking ways to protect her neighborhood.
Driessen argued that there is a need for humanitarian action alongside fiscal responsibility, urging that funds be used to help people.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
