Flood Ready Tennessee commemorates Severe Weather Week, February 20-26

Flood Ready Tennessee joins state and county emergency management agencies, weather authorities, and other community groups this Severe Weather Week to raise awareness of the impact severe weather has on Tennessee’s communities. The coalition also calls on Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly to commit to creating a statewide flood preparedness and resiliency plan to save lives and properties from rising floodwaters.
“Flooding is an economic drag on our rural areas and a threat to Tennesseans in large and small cities.” said Dwain Land, Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council President and former Mayor of Dunlap. “This week we celebrate the forward-thinking initiatives our state has undertaken and focus on the opportunities ahead to collaborate and make our state more resilient to flooding.”
Floods cost Tennessee on average $243 million every year, according to a 2020 TACIR report. However, it is far less expensive to prevent damage than it is to recover from it, with every dollar invested in resilience resulting in up to $12 savings. From 2000-2020, there have been 2,825 flood events in Tennessee – an average of one flood event every three days. Currently, nearly 400,000 properties across the state are at risk of severe or extreme flooding like the devastation seen in Waverly in August 2021.
Earlier this month, the coalition celebrated Representative Jay Reedy and Senator Kerry Roberts as they introduced a bill this legislative session to establish the Tennessee Flood Resilience and Community Preparedness Task Force and create the Flood Resilience Reserve Fund. Under this bill, the task force would create a state-wide flood resiliency plan to help our most vulnerable communities be better prepared for the next big flood. The creation of the fund would provide future financial assistance to state and local government entities for pre-disaster resilience programs, mitigation and infrastructure improvement projects, and voluntary relocation assistance for families with homes in flood plains.
This statewide coordination would amplify the ongoing efforts of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and many others whose work touches on the impacts of flooding from infrastructure issues to the economic health of communities.
“Regardless of whether this preparedness plan comes through legislative action or inter-agency coordination under Governor Lee’s direction, everyone will win.” said Land. “From administrative leadership in TEMA to the rural municipal planning commission members, everyone knows floods threaten lives and livelihoods in our state. Having a plan and mechanisms in place to help our communities weather the next storm will benefit all Tennesseans.”
About Flood Ready Tennessee – Flood Ready Tennessee is a coalition of elected officials, homeowners, small business owners, faith leaders, and community members across the state dedicated to making Tennessee resilient against the impact of frequent flooding. Across Tennessee, flooding is widespread, destructive, and costs Tennessee taxpayers and individuals an average of $243 million each year. Flood Ready Tennessee believes Tennessee should take executive and legislative steps to better prepare for future floods and avoid damage by investing in statewide coordination efforts, green infrastructure solutions, and hazard mitigation. For more information about Flood Ready TN, please visit www.floodreadytn.com.