Michigan lawmaker introduces bill that would require FEMA to repair flood-damaged basements

Three lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair basements damaged by flooding.

U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Shontel Brown (OH-11) introduced the Fix Our Flooded Basements Act to ensure that federal assistance would cover basements.

“In Southeast Michigan, we know firsthand the devastating impacts severe flooding can have on our families,” said Tlaib. “We have seen the destruction it causes in our neighborhoods and the basements of our homes. Water damage can ruin electrical systems, destroy heating and cooling systems, damage foundations, and create long-term mold and health issues. As flooding becomes more frequent due to climate change, it’s crucial that we take action to require FEMA to provide flood victims with the full resources they need to rebuild their lives.”

Here’s what the act would do, according to a release from Tlaib’s office:

• Ensure that federal assistance for repairs for personal and building property is available for flood-damaged basements, not just rooms that meet existing narrow occupancy requirements.
• Expand the coverage of federal assistance to cover the costs to repair and replace property in a flood-damaged basement affected by a major disaster.
• Ensure that federal assistance can be adequately spent on recovery by excluding hazard mitigation measures and GFIP premiums from the maximum amount of federal disaster financial assistance provided under the FEMA Individuals and Households Program.
• Expand eligibility and coverage for FEMA’s Group Flood Insurance Policy.

For more details about what the bill will do, visit here.

The legislation is cosponsored by several other lawmakers and is endorsed by several Southeast Michigan organizations, including the following: After the Storm Metro Detroit Recovery Project, Eastside Climate Action Coalition, Eastside Community Network, Enterprise Community Partners, Habitat for Humanity of Detroit, Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, National Low Income Housing Coalition, United Way SE Michigan, and Wayne Metro Community Action Agency.