Issue Position: Emergency Response and Natural Disasters

Issue Position

Issue Position: Emergency Response and Natural Disasters

Rhode Island's coastal location makes it susceptible to natural disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, and snowstorms. The best way to cope with a natural disaster and limit the damage is to plan ahead and be prepared. In an effort to protect Rhode Islanders before disaster strikes, Senator Reed has supported forward-thinking measures to enhance our emergency preparedness and improve our critical infrastructure, like the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. He has secured millions of dollars to update vital drainage systems across the state to prevent flooding during heavy rains. He also authored the National Flood Mapping Act, which the Senate recently passed, to help modernize flood maps and protect property owners from hurricane and flood damage. Rhode Island has more than 600 dams, many of which are in desperate need of repair. Senator Reed cosponsored the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act to provide federal funding to repair publicly-owned dams that do not meet safety standards.

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