[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H2644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           NATURAL DISASTERS

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, as we have seen this week in the news, 
it is not just the Gulf Coast that is at risk for flooding and other 
natural disasters. Indeed, it is the whole Nation.
  The Governors of Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have all 
declared states of emergency due to flooding from torrential rains. 
Four thousand residents in Merrimack County, Massachusetts are just now 
starting to return to homes filled not just with water but with sewage.
  Florida has declared an emergency as well due to wildfires. Residents 
of Edgewater, Florida were evacuated when a wildfire broke out south of 
Daytona Beach. Eight thousand acres and several homes were burned.
  Hurricane season officially starts the first of next month, with 
researchers at Colorado State predicting as many as five intense 
hurricanes this year, with the chance of one striking the gulf coast at 
least 50 percent.
  When less than half the States require even comprehensive plans to 
deal with natural disasters, one asks, is it going to take another 
whole summer of fires, hurricanes, and other such disasters for the 
Federal Government and States to take simple, commonsense steps to 
protect communities? We can start today in our Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee.

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