Dear John,

Floods don't stop because people are sick. As COVID-19 continues to put cities and towns in lockdown, our new climate reality puts people, habitat, and infrastructure along the river at severe risk.

The Upper Mississippi River flood risk management strategy essentially relies on temporary flood defenses built largely by volunteers with the goal of keeping the river out of its floodplain. In other words, everyone is left scrambling to fend for themselves. Understandably, this is a difficult strategy to execute right now without serious health risks.

Don't leave communities along the river to fend for themselves.
Tell Congress they need to have a contagion control plan.

Hundreds of years of shortsighted floodplain and watershed development decisions along the Mississippi River have put millions of people and their property at risk.

To address the dual threats of COVID-19 and flooding along the Upper Mississippi River, Upper Mississippi River governors need to request special mission assignments for the US Army Corps of Engineers to set up contagion control around flood fighting efforts. While the Spring 2020 flood forecasts have been downgraded, the threat posed by these dual emergencies will continue through the fall flood season and likely beyond. 

Climate disruption in the Upper Midwest is driving more intense rain storms that are causing more frequent and prolonged flooding, similar to what the region experienced in 2019. Until we have a cure for COVID-19, we need to prepare for and minimize the public safety risks associated with flooding amid a pandemic.

Take Action Today!

We can't rely on sandbags and good luck alone -- it's time for real solutions.