A new legislative report examines ways to reduce losses from natural hazards as Pennsylvania sues over the end of a federal infrastructure program.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania issued the report this month offering recommendations for ways to plan for disasters caused by storms, floods and wildfires.

From 2001 to 2021, disasters related to natural hazards cost $3.6 billion in property losses and 441 fatalities in Pennsylvania, the report said.

The report said state and county governments need to provide more predictable funding to address natural hazards before a disaster strikes. The state should hire more staff for this effort, the report said.

State and county officials need to prop up mitigation planning especially with the end of a federal grant program helping communities guard against disasters, the report added.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced last April it was ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program and canceling existing grant applications.

FEMA said the program which steers grants for projects involving stormwater control, improving dams and buying flood-prone properties is wasteful and ineffective.

Pennsylvania joined 19 Democratic-led states filing a lawsuit last week saying the action violated separation of powers.

Specific recommendations for addressing natural hazards include updating a 1990 state law on emergency planning for hazardous materials and better coordination among emergency managers, land use planners and floodplain managers.

With its rural focus, the report said communities in those areas face challenges applying for grants.