Rep. Higgins Commends Passage of Bill to Expand Disaster Mitigation Efforts

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release:

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) commended the passage of S. 3418, the Safeguarding Tomorrow Through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act, which expands funding opportunities through FEMA for disaster and hazard mitigation efforts.

The bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide capitalization grants to states to establish revolving funds for hazard mitigation assistance.

Projects mitigating the impacts of the following disasters would be eligible for assistance:

* drought and prolonged episodes of intense heat;

* severe storms, including hurricanes, tornados, wind storms, cyclones, and severe winter storms;

* wildfires;

* earthquakes;

* flooding, including the construction, repair, or replacement of a non-Federal levee or other flood control structure;

* shoreline erosion;

* high water levels; and

* storm surges.

Read the bill text here: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s3418/BILLS-116s3418enr.pdf

Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:

"Investments in pre-disaster mitigation save property, lives, and tax dollars. These programs make our communities more resilient to floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. I'm glad to see the STORM Act passed and heading to President Trump's desk. This bill delivers increased funding opportunities through FEMA and will help Louisiana strengthen flood protection and storm mitigation infrastructure."