Scott, Schatz Reintroduce Bill to Preserve and Protect Flood-Prone Communities

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) reintroduced the Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act, which aims to ensure stronger protections for flood-prone communities. This important legislation provides the first step towards breaking the costly cycle of repeated flooding and rebuilding by providing our communities with more tools to take proactive steps to reduce flood risk.

“Having grown up along South Carolina’s coast, I know all too well of the dangers and unease flooding brings to families across our state and nation,” said Senator Scott. “I’ll never forget going door-to-door in Sumter, Horry County, and other areas of our state after the 2015 floods and seeing firsthand the devastation faced by so many of our neighbors. Flood resilient infrastructure and thoughtful pre-disaster mitigation efforts are critical to the Palmetto State, and our bill will help prepare communities to safeguard their homes and businesses before disaster strikes.”

“Our bill builds on the momentum growing in states and cities to fight the new reality of accelerating sea level rise,” said Senator Schatz. “We need to do all we can to prepare our communities and our economy to weather the storm.”

Background

The bill will help to compel the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local governments to proactively reduce flood risk rather than simply rebuilding the same properties time and time again, which puts unnecessary strain on the NFIP and threatens other policy holders.

Additionally, the bill sets deadlines for FEMA to develop criteria to govern these repeat loss plans and determine any appropriate sanctions for failure to act, requires FEMA to report to Congress every two years on implementation progress, and authorizes FEMA to target special assistance to communities working to address these repeatedly flooded areas. 

Click here to read the full bill text. 

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