Congressman Eric Sorensen Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Rural Communities Prepare for Flooding
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) joined Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) in introducing the Strengthening Access to Flood-resilient Environments for Rural Communities Act (SAFE Rural Act), to help rural communities better prepare for flooding before disasters strike.
The SAFE Rural Act would create a dedicated rural flood resilience fund within the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The bill would ensure rural communities, Tribal governments, and U.S. territories receive formula-based funding to strengthen infrastructure and improve disaster preparedness without competing against larger cities for limited grant funding.
“As a Meteorologist, I know flooding doesn’t care about county lines or ZIP codes—but I also know rural communities often don’t have the same resources as larger cities to prepare for it. Central and Northwestern Illinois is home to hardworking hometowns that deserve the same opportunity to protect their families and infrastructure before the next storm hits,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “This legislation makes it easier for those communities to access federal resources, strengthen critical infrastructure, and save taxpayer dollars by investing in prevention instead of paying for recovery after disaster strikes.”
"Communities across western North Carolina know better than anyone that rebuilding after a flood is always harder and more expensive than preparing beforehand. The problem is that too many rural communities never get the chance to prepare because they don't have the staff or resources to navigate Washington's grant process. The SAFE Rural Act changes that by making it easier for small towns to access the funding they need to strengthen critical infrastructure before the next disaster hits. That's a smarter use of taxpayer dollars, and it's how we build more resilient communities for the long haul," said Congressman Pat Harrigan.
Under the legislation, eligible communities could use funding for projects such as upgrading bridges, culverts, levees, and drainage systems, restoring wetlands and other natural flood protections, improving flood warning systems, and strengthening emergency preparedness. The bill also streamlines the application process for smaller projects, helping communities access funding more quickly.
The SAFE Rural Act is endorsed by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, the American Flood Coalition, and the Association of State Floodplain Managers.