Hurricane Ida
Coverage of Hurricane Ida in the Nexus archive.
- EXCLUSIVE: Woman who stole $1.7M meant for hurricane victims gets prison time as DHS cracks down on FEMA fraud
Jasmine Williams, a Pennsylvania woman, was sentenced to five years in prison for defrauding FEMA of $1.7 million following Hurricane Ida by submitting fraudulent documents to secure disaster aid. The Department of Homeland Security highlighted the Trump administration's efforts to combat FEMA fraud, emphasizing accountability for those misappropriating disaster assistance funds.
- Levee plan not viable for Philly’s flood-prone Eastwick neighborhood, says U.S. Army Corps
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has concluded that a proposed earthen berm-style levee to protect Philadelphia’s Eastwick neighborhood from flooding is not feasible due to risks of induced flooding in Delaware County. The decision followed years of studies and community anticipation, with residents expressing disappointment over the lack of a viable flood solution.
- Lessons learned from Ida: Philadelphia must brace for next big storm, Penn researchers say
Penn researchers warn that intense storms like Hurricane Ida, which caused severe flooding in Philadelphia in 2021, are projected to occur every three years due to climate change and outdated infrastructure. A study published in npj Natural Hazards highlights that climate change, combined with paved surfaces and aging drainage systems, will lead to increasingly damaging floods in the region.