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Twenty states are taking the Trump administration to court over its decision to cancel a federal program that helped communities guard against floods, wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters.The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, claims the White House acted illegally when it eliminated the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, better known as BRIC.The program funded nearly 2,000 disaster mitigation projects nationwide — totaling roughly $4.5 billion, according to the lawsuit. The legal complaint, backed by Democratic attorneys general, accuses FEMA of violating three federal standards: the Administrative Procedure Act, the Appropriations Clause, and the Appointments Clause.It says FEMA bypassed public input, unlawfully redirected funds already allocated by Congress, and acted under unconfirmed leadership when the program was dismantled.“The impact of the shutdown has been devastating,” the lawsuit states. “Communities across the country are being forced to delay, scale back, or cancel hundreds of mitigation projects depending on this funding.”We asked the White House about the lawsuit. They redirected us to FEMA, which said:“Resiliency is a priority for DHS, but over the last four years the Biden Administration used the BRIC program as a piggy bank for its green new deal agenda. We will make sure we do right by the taxpayers by bringing integrity to all our spending. If these States take issue with that, we will see them in court.”Projects Canceled in Every StateWhile 20 states filed the lawsuit, the complaint says that all 50 states are affected by BRIC’s termination. FEMA had already accepted or awarded grants across the country. Here are some of the most substantial impacts:North CarolinaAttorney General Jeff Jackson sued FEMA over the cancellation of over $200 million in BRIC grants designated for water, sewer, and flood protection projects in North Carolina.MarylandA $36 million flood mitigation project in Crisfield was canceled. Maryland had received over $80 million in BRIC funding before the program was terminated, according to the lawsuit.OhioThe state was set to receive roughly $24 million in flood control and drainage projects, according to the lawsuit.PennsylvaniaProjects in York and Allegheny counties, including stormwater pump stations and flood protection upgrades, were among dozens halted after BRIC’s shutdown, according to the lawsuit.VermontLost planning funds for two projects: $127,760 for floodplain restoration in Brattleboro and $71,250 for infrastructure upgrades in Wolcott, according to the lawsuit.GeorgiaSavannah lost a $30 million federal flood relief grant that had already supported nearly $3 million in engineering and design. With FEMA pulling out, city officials are now considering a stormwater utility fee to make up for the loss. “Communities just like ours all across the country are going to have to make up the difference with local dollars,” said Alderman Nick Palumbo.CaliforniaThe lawsuit says more than $50 million in funding was pulled from projects in Sacramento and Rancho Palos Verdes, including landslide stabilization and levee improvements.FloridaThe state lost $148 million in flood mitigation funds through the South Florida Water Management District.MassachusettsIn Massachusetts, BRIC funding is used for planning and implementing climate proofing for vulnerable Boston neighborhoods, bridge upgrades in Manchester-by-the-Sea, flood protection efforts for the Blue Line tunnel connecting Logan International Airport to Boston, flood and drought protection in Clarksburg, a coastal flood resilience project in Chelsea and Everett, and critical local hazard mitigation planning for communities across the state — among other essential projects. All of that funding is now in jeopardy following FEMA’s cancellation of the program.The coalition of states is asking the court for an immediate injunction to block FEMA from redirecting any more funds. They’re also seeking a permanent order to reinstate the BRIC program and restore its funding pipeline.In parallel, FEMA has launched a Review Council to assess the agency’s long-term direction. That council is expected to deliver reform recommendations to President Trump by November, according to a senior White House official.See more from the Washington Bureau below: