[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 3, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S3674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      URBAN FLOODING AWARENESS ACT

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, big storms and heavy rain often lead to 
flooding in cities. It seems like that is happening more frequently and 
the floods have been more damaging. In May we saw the extent of the 
damage that can be done when flood waters inundate a city. Twenty-seven 
people died in Houston, TX as a result of the rainfall and flooding 
there. Eleven people are still missing. The truth of the matter is, we 
don't have very much data on frequency, severity, or how we might 
better prepare for the kind of weather that turns into flooded streets, 
businesses, and homes.
  I introduced a bill this week, with Senator Whitehouse and 
Congressman Quigley in the House, to address that. The Urban Flooding 
Awareness Act calls for a study to document the costs to families, 
business, and government associated with urban flooding. There are many 
ways we can do a better job of preparing for storm flooding--including 
creative, environmentally sound, ``green infrastructure'' approaches--
but first we need to have a firm understanding of the scope of the 
problem.
  Stronger, more destructive storms are pounding urban areas at an 
alarming rate. They threaten the quality of drinking water. Urban 
floods erode river banks and spread pollution. They bring massive 
damage to homes and businesses. When you consider events like 
Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina, it is clear we need to do more 
to understand how flooding can be predicted and prevented.
  In Illinois we have had more than our fair share of urban flooding in 
recent years. Chicago has seen three ``hundred year floods'' in the 
last 5 years.
  Just a few inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage 
for both home and small business owners. Wet basements from flooding 
events are one of the top reasons people do not purchase a particular 
home. Industry experts estimate flooding can lower property values by 
10 to 25 percent. Moreover, nearly 40 percent of small businesses do 
not reopen following a disaster, according to FEMA, the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency.
  Most homeowners in urban areas do not have Federally backed flood 
insurance through FEMA's flood insurance program. They are not able to 
participate in the flood insurance program because it focuses entirely 
on designated floodplains along rivers, not in urban areas. With the 
frequency and severity of storms growing year by year, we need to gain 
a better understanding of flooding in our cities.
  A clear definition of urban flooding--which this legislation would 
establish--would allow experts to understand the scope of the problem, 
develop solutions, and consider more than just coastal and river 
flooding when designing flood maps. The bill also would require FEMA to 
coordinate a study on the costs and prevalence of urban flooding and 
the effectiveness of green and other infrastructure.
  The Urban Flooding Awareness Act will help American communities 
identify ways to protect our investments and our environment. I urge my 
colleagues to support it.

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