Earl Blumenauer: “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…”

“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. ____________________”