Each May, we raise awareness about the threat posed by hurricanes so that Americans living in potentially affected areas are more prepared for these powerful storms. Over the last several years, hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical storms have occurred with greater frequency and intensity, causing tremendous destruction across the United States. From the Gulf Coast and Caribbean Territories to New England, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories, severe winds and flooding have cost lives, damaged homes, and caused financial setbacks for families. During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we recommit to improving our Nation's resilience to hurricanes and to stopping climate change from exacerbating the impact of climate-related catastrophes in the future.
Last year was the third most active hurricane season — and one of the costliest ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana and moved northeast, causing severe weather and flooding across Pennsylvania and New York. Hurricane Henri, the first hurricane to hit the northeast in 30 years, killed more than a 100 people and caused billions of dollars in damages. These and other hurricanes devastated infrastructure, economies, and communities in their path. Hurricanes also take an emotional toll — especially on low-income communities and communities of color, who are more likely to live in areas that are vulnerable to climate and weather hazards. I witnessed the aftermath of these storms firsthand in Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York as I walked with survivors through their devastated communities.
My Administration is committed not only to recovering and rebuilding in the aftermath of these climate-related events but also to preparing for them by strengthening the resiliency of our infrastructure and our communities. That is why I was proud to sign the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last year. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes long-overdue investments in coastal resilience, advances our understanding and forecasting of dangerous weather events, improves how we communicate forecasts to the public, and enhances the resiliency of underserved communities.
In addition, I have proposed more than $18 billion for climate resilience programs across the Federal Government in next year's budget. Federal investments will also incorporate new flood standards so that our communities are more resilient to flooding. We are strengthening Federal coordination on meteorological services. We are working with State and local governments to strengthen and adopt building codes so, when disasters strike, buildings and the people in them are safer.
