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WORD ON WASHINGTON
“Planning and Preparing for Hurricanes”
July 2013
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Eastern North Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful and pristine coastline in the country, but those of us who have lived in this region all of our lives know well the associated risks of living along the Atlantic coast during Hurricane Season. Most of the major hurricanes to make landfall in North Carolina have occurred late in the summer, however sufficient planning and preparation are keys to best protect our lives and property.
North Carolina is one of the top states in the number of storms that have produced hurricane force winds, and we have sustained over $11 billion of damage and almost 1,000 fatalities from hurricanes in our history. Storm surge, high winds, tornadoes and flooding are all hazardous effects of hurricanes and can be just as deadly as the hurricanes themselves. The devastation of Hurricanes Irene, Fran, and Floyd, the worst natural disasters for North Carolina in recent years, still remain vivid in the memories of those living along the coast.
Of all the weather-related storm effects, flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, yet many homeowners are unaware that flood damage is not typically covered by homeowners insurance. Recently, I supported legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives, to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program to help in this regard. For residents in low-lying inland areas, as well as our coastal communities, the Flood Insurance Program is extremely important part of preparedness. Reauthorizing this program provides the necessary protections to help home owners and prospective home buyers and help guard against the devastating loss from flooding. Additionally, it would help shore up our housing market and local economy.
Flood insurance is an important resource, but it is also important that it remains affordable. I am pushing to help lower flood insurance rates so that our families and communities are not burdened. Arbitrarily raising flood insurance rates disproportionately hurts our coastal communities and adds unnecessary burdens to home ownership. I recently joined several congressional colleagues in sending a letter to the Administrator
of FEMA requesting that he address administratively affordability issues arising from the Flood Insurance Reform Act (FIRA). I have also supported congressional measures to delay portions of implementation of the FIRA so that affordability of insurance premiums can be resolved in a timely manner. It is imperative that flood insurance remain an affordable resource to protect our homes and communities.
Working together in partnership with local, state and federal officials is an important element of emergency planning, and I would encourage everyone to learn about and establish a family plan in the event of a weather emergency. There are many online resources that make planning tools available, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Center, which can be found at www.nhc.noaa.gov. North Carolina’s Division of Emergency Management is also an informative website which can be found under the office of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety at www.nccrimecontrol.org. Information on how to prepare your home and your family can also be found on my website at mcintyre.house.gov.
I hope we will all continue to enjoy the summer months ahead and the benefits of the natural resources in our part of the state, but I trust you will safeguard and protect your family and property by planning and being prepared during weather emergencies. Please visit my website at mcintyre.house.gov for further assistance or to receive my periodic e-newsletter and keep in touch on important issues.
U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre
Representing the 7th District of North Carolina
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Elizabethtown, NC
P. O. Box 2107
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
910-862-1437
Fax 910-862-2286
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Leland, NC
497 Olde Waterford Way
Suite 206
Leland N.C. 28451
910-399-1134
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Washington, DC
2428 Rayburn House Office
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2731
fax (202) 225-5773
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