Congressman Joe Morelle Recognized by American Flood Coalition as a Federal Champion
Morelle champions collaboration and creative solutions in the face of increased flood risk.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 28, 2019
The American Flood Coalition has announced that Congressman Joe Morelle has joined its nonpartisan alliance to address the growing threat of flooding and sea level rise.
Congressman Morelle joins the Coalition as communities in Monroe County face serious concerns about prolonged flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario. Earlier this month, New York declared a State of Emergency to address flooding in the county – and with above-average precipitation for May 2019, Lake Ontario now sits only 4 inches below 2017 water levels, when extensive flooding along its shoreline cost the State of New York $100 million in recovery funding.
“My district knows all too well the devastation that flood waters can cause, as many of our neighbors are still rebuilding from the severe flooding we experienced in 2017,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “That’s why I am glad to join the American Flood Coalition as the first freshwater federal representative and work alongside my partners in Congress to identify and invest in creative solutions that help protect communities along the shoreline. Together, we can plan for the future and improve the ability of our communities to withstand, recover, and adapt to weather-related events.”
Congressman Morelle is the 14th Member of Congress to join the American Flood Coalition and the first Representative from the Great Lakes Region.
“Flooding is an issue that increasingly impacts inland and lakeside communities, not just coastal areas,” said Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of the American Flood Coalition. “Congressman Morelle’s district on the shores of the Great Lakes faces many of the same challenges as our Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coast coalition members. We are excited to bring together the concerns of our members from all regions of the country and to demonstrate that flooding is a national issue in need of federal action.”
The American Flood Coalition is a nonpartisan group of cities, elected officials, military leaders, businesses, and civic groups that have come together to drive adaptation to the reality of higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding through national solutions that support flood-affected communities and protect our nation’s residents, economy, and military installations.
Cities, towns, elected officials, businesses, and local leaders wishing to join the American Flood Coalition or read more about the organization’s work can visit the coalition’s website (www.floodcoalition.org) to find out more.
