FEMA Extends Hazard Mitigation Deadlines for 19 States and Territories
April 1, 2026 · 2 min read
David Almeida
FEMA announced on March 24 that 19 states and two U.S. territories will receive additional time to complete projects funded through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire, providing relief to communities racing to finish infrastructure upgrades before original deadlines expired.
Which States Received Extensions
The extensions cover projects across 19 states and two territories that were funded through HMGP and HMGP Post Fire. These programs support communities in building long-term resilience against disasters including floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and hurricanes.
FEMA did not specify the new deadline dates in its announcement, but the extensions apply to projects that were at risk of losing federal funding due to construction delays, permitting backlogs, or supply chain disruptions that have plagued infrastructure work nationwide.
Why the Extensions Matter
Hazard mitigation projects — such as flood drainage systems, seismic retrofits, wildfire-resistant building upgrades, and community safe rooms — often take years to design, permit, and build. When federal deadlines expire before construction finishes, communities face a painful choice: absorb the remaining costs locally or abandon partially completed work.
The extensions are particularly significant given FEMA's simultaneous decision to eliminate planning and technical assistance funding under the BRIC program. Communities that lose access to planning support will depend even more heavily on completing existing mitigation projects on time.
What Grant Recipients Should Do
State and local agencies with active HMGP awards should confirm their eligibility for extensions through their State Hazard Mitigation Officer. FEMA's announcement signals willingness to accommodate construction realities, but recipients will need to demonstrate continued progress toward project completion.
Organizations managing federal mitigation grants can track compliance deadlines and policy changes on grantedai.com.
For analysis of how these extensions interact with broader FEMA policy shifts, see the Granted blog.