Extreme weather survivors form political groups to lobby for reform

Survivors of extreme weather events in the United States are organizing into political groups to demand better disaster response and insurance reform.

These individuals are forming a collective force to turn their personal experiences with floods and wildfires into advocacy for policy changes. The group Extreme Weather Survivors focuses on issues such as federal aid, debris removal, and insurance reform. Many members joined these efforts after facing difficulties with complex insurance policies following Hurricane Helene in 2024.

Because of the political tension surrounding climate change, some of these organizations, including Rebuild: the National Disaster Survivors Association, avoid using climate specific terms in their names to maintain a broader appeal. Advocates are traveling to Washington to lobby politicians and share their personal stories. Amanda Rosa of Extreme Weather Survivors says that providing survivors with space to heal allows them to transition from victims to witnesses who can brief leadership at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In Texas, survivors held a meeting in Kerrville, a location near where flash floods killed 136 people last year, to invite candidates to speak about their experiences. While some survivors were previously skeptical of the link between the climate crisis and natural disasters, their shared trauma has bonded them into a bipartisan movement. These activists aim to pressure leaders to address rising home insurance rates and the increasing frequency of heat, smoke, and flooding.