EZELL REINSTITUTES THE CONGRESSIONAL BIPARTISAN FLOOD RESILIENCE CAUCUS; SENDS LETTER URGING REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

The following information was released by the office of Mississippi Rep. Mike Ezell:

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) announced that he will be reinstituting the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus for the 119th Congress. Joining him as co-chairs are Reps. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Troy Carter (D-LA).

The caucus will use proactive strategies and policy tools to protect residents, including the more than 40 million Americans who live in communities at high risk of severe flood damage.Extreme flooding ruins homes and property, uproots lives, and leaves a devastating impact.Pre-disaster strategies to educate and alert the public, as well as investments in both traditional and green flood control infrastructure, are critical to avert the post-disaster devastation so many communities face.

"I'm proud to co-lead the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus to help make sure our coastal communities have the tools they need to prepare for and recover from flooding," Ezell said. " In South Mississippi, we know how important strong infrastructure and smart planning are. Flooding is the most commonand costlynatural disaster in the U.S., and it can affect anyone, even those outside high-risk areas. That's why flood insurance and strong federal support are so important. I look forward to working with our co-chairs and across the aisle to protect lives, property, and our economy from future flood risks."

"My district knows firsthand the danger and destruction that flooding brings," Carter said. " As the climate changes, more and more communities will also be threatened by extreme flooding. We must take federal action to ensure that our nation is not only prepared to respond to flooding disasters, but to adapt our systems and infrastructure to be more resilient and better able to weather any storm. I'm proud to be a part of this caucus and to be a leader in this effort."

"As a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast, I have seen numerous storms and other natural disasters wreak havoc on our communities," Weber said. "Over 120 million people live in coastal communities across the country, and ensuring our government can help uplift those impacted by natural disasters is a key goal of mine. As a co-leader of the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus, I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen the resilience of our coastal communities."

"Once again this year, we have seen thedevastating impacts of floodingin Texas," Fletcher said. "It is critical that Congress works toprotect communitiesacross the countryfrom thedevastatingimpactsof flooding, and soI am glad toreestablishtheCongressionalFlood Resilience Caucus. I look forward to working with Representatives Weber, Carter, andEzellandall ofthe caucus' members to addressthe needs of our communitiesand develop policiestoprepare for andrespond to the threats thatfloodingposes across the country."

In coordination with the launch of this Caucus, Congressmen Mike Ezell (R-MS), Troy Carter (D-LA), and Cleo Fields (D-LA) sent a letter urging immediate action on long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as it will lapse in late September . The Members emphasized that NFIP is a lifeline for homeowners, small businesses, and entire communities who are vulnerable to flooding.

"Most homeowners' insurance policies do not cover flood damage, with flood insurance being the only remedy to cover the cost of rebuilding, underscoring the tremendous importance of NFIP. This program creates faster paths to recovery and provides peace of mind for homeowners across the nation, for a situation that could otherwise be life-ruining and involve financial devastation,"the Members wrote."A lapse in the program's authorization means new policies could not be issued, existing policies could not be renewed, and real estate transactions in flood-prone areas may stall, leaving homeowners and businesses vulnerable. This could ultimately result in housing market instability, jeopardizing the financial security of our constituents."

Background

This is not simply a coastal issue, as nearly all communities face some level of flood risk. Since 1996, flood events have occurred in all 50 states and 99% of U.S. counties , as it is the most common and costliest natural disaster.

The Flood Resilience Caucus plans to discuss a wide variety of topics, including;

Reauthorization and modernization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP);

Ensuring federal disaster funding is delivered to communities efficiently and effectively;

Coastal habitat restoration and protection;

Eliminating duplicative administrative burdens for disaster aid; and,

Supporting the foundational mission of FEMA and a robust federal disaster response.

Members of the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus recognize the importance of acting now to adapt communities and build resilience in the face of rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Research shows that proactive investments in adaptive measures, such as elevating homes and retrofitting infrastructure, can save taxpayers an average of six dollars for every one dollar of federal spending.