Congressman Patrick Murphy and his Flood Advisory Board of Local Officials From Flood-Affected Areas Met to Discuss Preventing Flooding Disasters

Washington, DC -- Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th district) met with his Flooding Advisory Board, a group of local officials organized to advise the Congressman on flood preparation, mitigation and recovery. The Flooding Advisory Board meets monthly. The board briefs Congressman Murphy on local flood mitigation and recovery efforts. It will also suggest additional measures to address flooding problems in the heavily effected areas along the Delaware River in Bucks County. With the help of these local experts, Congressman Murphy and his staff are committed to taking on this important issue. After the meeting, Congressman Murphy and the Advisory Board held a press conference to discuss the latest developments.

“We established this Advisory Board because we need to act with a sense of urgency – the next flood could be right around the corner,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “Recovering from past floods and preparing for the possibility of more will require coordination across the county. Hopefully, because of our efforts and the work of concerned citizens and local experts, the next time the Delaware floods we will be prepared.”

“We owe it to the many families whose lives have been changed forever to work together to address this issue,” added Murphy.

Congressman Murphy and the Advisory Board are taking on the following Major Projects:

• Compiling a step-by-step timeline of best practices for emergency managers to use during floods.
• Arranging a feasibility study of the Delaware River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • This study will identify flood mitigation projects with local, long term impacts.
• Working closely with Yardley Borough on local projects aimed at stopping flooding from secondary sources such as the Delaware Canal and water coming in through the borough’s storm water management system.
• Urging FEMA to reassess their appraisal of the damage done to Yardley Borough’s sewer system and increase the funds allotted for its repair.