Rep. McNerney Pushes Legislation to Improve Local Emergency Flood Response

Press Release

As Californians begin to prepare for the El Niño weather season, Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-09) is pushing Congress to pass newly introduced legislation aimed at making sure local authorities are empowered on the ground to respond to flood disasters and prevent levee failures. Current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations put constraints on a local agency's ability to commit already scarce resources by limiting emergency assistance and work eligible for disaster assistance and reimbursement.

"El Niño could bring severe and unpredictable weather across California that could result in additional stress to the state's already fragile levee system. In a flood situation, local authorities do not have time to be caught up in federal red tape. They must be readily able and prepared to respond to a disaster scenario, should a levee break or become overwhelmed. Preparation is critical in flood-prone regions as well as those not previously known for flooding, even after long periods of intense drought conditions," said Rep. McNerney. "With the Emergency Flood Response Act, I want to make sure the local agencies on the ground, specifically those with the most knowledge operating in a flood region, have the tools necessary to prepare, plan, and respond effectively to limit potential damage and injury that can be caused by flooding and crumbling levees."

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