Biden doubles U.S. spending on preparations for extreme weather

Reuters

Published May 24, 2021 11:27AM ET

Updated May 24, 2021 06:07PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will double its spending to $1 billion on preparations for extreme weather and other natural disasters as part of the battle against climate change, the White House said on Monday.

It issued the statement just ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden's planned visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be briefed on a 2021 hurricane season, which is expected to be above-normal along the Atlantic coast.

The $1 billion will help communities prepare for hurricanes, floods and wildfires, with a portion allotted specifically to disadvantaged communities, the White House said.