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I hope you saw my latest weekly column.

 

ROGER WICKER: Key investments help protect against storm damage
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The waters are slowly receding from the most powerful storm to hit our nation
in years. Hurricane Ida flooded many roads, damaged homes, took down trees and
power lines, and left more than 144,000 Mississippi homes and businesses
temporarily without power. First responders performed water rescues in
Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. Tragically, two people died and 10
more were injured in George County after Highway 26 caved in. Despite all of
this destruction, we can be grateful that Mississippi was spared the worst of
this hurricane. Soon after the storm passed, federal responders shifted their
focus to Louisiana and the Northeast, where storm-induced floods and tornadoes
have claimed dozens of lives.

 

Hard infrastructure protects Mississippians

 

Infrastructure projects have played an important role in mitigating storm
damage. Since Hurricane Katrina, our nation has invested billions of dollars to
improve drainage systems, flood walls and levees, which failed catastrophically
during Katrina but have not broken since. The Army Corps of Engineers has
shored up pumping stations, which are critical to removing floodwaters after a
storm. We have also invested in backup power systems in case our power grid
fails because of storm-induced floods, and more resources have been devoted to
storm preparation.

 

Congress is now considering a bipartisan infrastructure bill that would build
significantly on this progress. I recently voted in favor of this bill because
of the tremendous good it would do for Mississippi — funding new roads,
bridges, rail, ports, aviation, water projects, broadband deployment, and more.

 

The infrastructure package would provide $17 billion for projects undertaken
by the Army Corps of Engineers. This would include $808 million for the
Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries system, $251 million for flood and coastal
emergencies, and $2.5 billion for flood mitigation projects in inland
communities. The bill would also invest $11 billion to secure our electric grid
so that fewer homes lose power because of extreme weather. Additionally, it
would provide $3.3 billion for roads and highways in Mississippi, allowing for
easier evacuations and relief efforts in the future. These long-term
investments in physical infrastructure would improve protections for
Mississippi as we continue to face the threat of extreme weather.

 

Forecasting, homeowner compensations improve

 

Congress has also advanced several measures that have made us more prepared
for hurricanes. I authored the Commercial Engagement through Ocean Technology
(CENOTE) Act, which President Trump signed into law in 2018. This created a
framework for ocean data sharing between the federal government, the U.S. Navy,
private industry, and universities. This collaboration is now helping experts
predict hurricane intensity more accurately, which allows residents to make
more informed decisions about whether to evacuate. I also authored legislation
to improve the accuracy of damage assessments so that homeowners can be fully
compensated for wind and water damage.

 

Flood insurance has been a critical lifeline for Mississippians facing the
constant threat of storms. To keep this lifeline available, I am cosponsoring
legislation to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for five years.
This bipartisan bill would protect policyholders from high premium hikes by
capping annual interest increases. I have also introduced legislation to
improve training for flood insurance agents so that customers can be sure they
are receiving accurate information. In addition, I have put forward legislation
to allow small business owners to repurpose some of their flood insurance fees
to help pay for flood mitigation on their property. As Congress returns to
session this month, I will continue pushing for strategic investments that will
help our state get through the storms of tomorrow.

 

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Thank you for your support,

Senator Roger Wicker

 

 

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