The American Flood Coalition, or AFC, on Thursday recognized Alabama Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, as a Federal Champion “for her leadership, public service, and commitment to finding solutions to challenges posed by flooding,” according to a coalition news release.
“Alabama is home to world-class federal research institutions that are leading the country on flood data and forecasting,” Britt said. “I am proud to support their work to deliver accurate, updated rainfall and flood data that engineers, planners, and communities need to build more resilient infrastructure and flood-ready communities. As a Federal Champion, I look forward to working with the American Flood Coalition to ensure those investments reach communities across Alabama and the nation.”
Britt joins 59 bipartisan AFC Federal Champions, members of Congress dedicated to combating the effects of stronger storms and more frequent flooding.
As Alabama’s second Federal Champion, Britt has been a strong supporter of the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology, a partnership among the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of Alabama and 28 other institutions committed to advancing water prediction and building community resilience to water-related challenges.
Britt has also been a key proponent of NOAA’s forthcoming Atlas 15 nationwide rainfall dataset and other tools in development at the National Water Center in Tuscaloosa.
“Whether supporting FEMA funding as a senior appropriator or fighting for NOAA facilities in her state, Senator Britt understands that flood resilience starts long before a storm makes landfall,” AFC founder and Executive Director Melissa Roberts said. “Her support for effective National Weather Service programs and products means engineers and planners will finally have the data necessary to design roads, bridges, and communities that can withstand today and tomorrow’s storms. We are proud to recognize her leadership as a Federal Champion.”
Britt also serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security, where she oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s budget and the Department of Homeland Security’s disaster preparedness and response programs.
