Congressman Mike Garcia, District 27 | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Mike Garcia, District 27 | Official U.S. House headshot
Representative Mike Garcia's (CA-27) bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing flood forecasting and water storage has successfully cleared the House. The legislation, known as the Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act, was integrated into the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023, specifically designed to enhance the prediction of atmospheric rivers, which are known for causing severe flooding and snowfall in California.
In a statement following the bill's passage, Rep. Garcia highlighted the pressing need for improved forecasting capabilities, especially in light of the destructive impact of atmospheric rivers in recent years. He emphasized the importance of capturing and utilizing the vast amounts of water carried by these storms to mitigate flooding and enhance water storage for future needs.
"Our community can experience devastating flooding, wildfires, and droughts all in the same year. And over the past two winters, we’ve experienced a new threat - atmospheric rivers," remarked Rep. Garcia.
The congressman further explained, "Atmospheric rivers have dumped trillions of gallons of water on California, causing flooding and damage to property, and nearly 95% of this water went uncaptured - flowing wastefully out into the ocean. My bill will improve our ability to forecast this dangerous flooding, and in doing so, will enable California to capture trillions of gallons of water necessary for when the next drought hits."
Rep. Garcia expressed his optimism about the bill's potential impact, stating, "This legislation is a win-win for California, equipping us with the tools to protect our community against severe flooding while better utilizing the precipitation to insulate those same communities against drought."
He concluded by urging swift action in the Senate, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of the bill and its critical importance in enhancing predictive capabilities for severe weather events and improving water storage capacities.
The successful passage of Rep. Garcia's bill signifies a significant step forward in bolstering California's resilience against natural disasters and ensuring efficient water resource management.
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