Unnamed Expert on Bridge Safety

Jones says the National Association lobbied on those, too, because they can drive up the cost of insurance.

Jones says the National Association lobbied on those, too, because they can drive up the cost of insurance.

Jones says the National Association lobbied on those, too, because they can drive up the cost of insurance.

Jones says he left the group in 2019 when he felt his opinions were failing to make any difference. He says he wanted to build safe engineering marvels, the best of what humans are capable of building. And he says that was not what the association was interested in.

Jones says he left the group in 2019 when he felt his opinions were failing to make any difference. He says he wanted to build safe engineering marvels, the best of what humans are capable of building. And he says that was not what the association was interested in.

Jones says he left the group in 2019 when he felt his opinions were failing to make any difference. He says he wanted to build safe engineering marvels, the best of what humans are capable of building. And he says that was not what the association was interested in.

In a statement to NPR, officials from the National Home Builders said their group, quote, advocates for common sense and cost effective codes that make homes safer and more energy efficient.

In a statement to NPR, officials from the National Home Builders said their group, quote, advocates for common sense and cost effective codes that make homes safer and more energy efficient.

In a statement to NPR, officials from the National Home Builders said their group, quote, advocates for common sense and cost effective codes that make homes safer and more energy efficient.

They said unnecessary regulations, quote, provide limited protection from natural hazards while driving up the cost of housing for hardworking families at a time when the nation is already suffering through a housing affordability crisis.

They said unnecessary regulations, quote, provide limited protection from natural hazards while driving up the cost of housing for hardworking families at a time when the nation is already suffering through a housing affordability crisis.

They said unnecessary regulations, quote, provide limited protection from natural hazards while driving up the cost of housing for hardworking families at a time when the nation is already suffering through a housing affordability crisis.

The group said new homes built to modern codes are, quote, already energy efficient, safe and resilient, and that communities need to focus on improving older homes and infrastructure, which are less resilient. In recent months, the Trump administration has cut staff and grant programs at FEMA.

The group said new homes built to modern codes are, quote, already energy efficient, safe and resilient, and that communities need to focus on improving older homes and infrastructure, which are less resilient. In recent months, the Trump administration has cut staff and grant programs at FEMA.

The group said new homes built to modern codes are, quote, already energy efficient, safe and resilient, and that communities need to focus on improving older homes and infrastructure, which are less resilient. In recent months, the Trump administration has cut staff and grant programs at FEMA.

It's taken steps to stop enforcing some rules for flood prone areas and has ended some funding to help communities update building codes. Back in North Carolina, for those who died in Helene, it's too late for building codes, programs, and grants anyhow. And it's too late for buyouts or infrastructure projects.

It's taken steps to stop enforcing some rules for flood prone areas and has ended some funding to help communities update building codes. Back in North Carolina, for those who died in Helene, it's too late for building codes, programs, and grants anyhow. And it's too late for buyouts or infrastructure projects.

It's taken steps to stop enforcing some rules for flood prone areas and has ended some funding to help communities update building codes. Back in North Carolina, for those who died in Helene, it's too late for building codes, programs, and grants anyhow. And it's too late for buyouts or infrastructure projects.

For weeks after the storm, Shalana Jordan walked the banks of the Swannanoa River, searching for her parents, Nola and Robert Ramsor, hoping for some kind of a clue. I had to look. Like, it was silly to think that I could do that on my own, but I had to look. Finally, six weeks after the storm, the state medical examiner's office called to tell her both her parents were dead.

For weeks after the storm, Shalana Jordan walked the banks of the Swannanoa River, searching for her parents, Nola and Robert Ramsor, hoping for some kind of a clue. I had to look. Like, it was silly to think that I could do that on my own, but I had to look. Finally, six weeks after the storm, the state medical examiner's office called to tell her both her parents were dead.