Last week congressman Steve Scalise visited the pump station and canal closure facility along the 17th street Canal which separates Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. He also talked with several local, state and federal flood protection officials.
Below is his letter following his visit:
August 18, 2018
The Scalise Capitol Report
This week, I was able to evaluate the 17th Street Canal pumping station and talk with local, state and federal flood protection officials. As we enter the height of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, it’s so important our region is ready for whatever may come our way. Hopefully the full capacity of the 17th Street Canal pump station is never needed, but it is important to know that the system is ready and fully capable of operating to its highest level if the worst kind of storm happens.While this pump station and the rest of the New Orleans area flood protection system are critical parts of our defense system against powerful storms, much work remains to ensure protection for all areas across Southeast Louisiana, and I will continue to fight every day for additional flood protections and coastal restoration efforts in Congress.I spoke with FOX 8, along with Colonel Michael Clancy of the Army Corps of Engineers, about this. Click here or on the image below to watch.
Col. Clancy, Joe Hassinger, the President of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East (SLFPA-E), Gerard Gillen III, Chief of Operations at SLFPA-E, and I discuss the capabilities of the station.
Seeing the pumps first-hand and discussing the capacity of the station.
The Importance of Flood Insurance
As we are entering the riskiest time of hurricane season, I encourage everyone to get flood insurance. While I continue to fight for reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program that would bring additional and more affordable options for Louisiana families, I am working with a bipartisan coalition in Congress to ensure the NFIP is affordable and sustainable and remains fair for homeowners and taxpayers.
I successfully led the effort with my colleague Rep. Tom MacArthur of New Jersey in July to pass our legislation that would ensure the NFIP wouldn’t lapse during hurricane season. Our bill, which received large majorities in both the House and Senate and was signed by President Trump, extends the NFIP through November 30. While it was critical that we passed an extension to make sure the program wouldn’t lapse, I’m continuing to fight for a long term NFIP reauthorization so that families in South Louisiana have peace of mind when it comes to flood insurance.
Visit floodsmart.gov for more information about the National Flood Insurance Program.
It is an honor to represent you in Congress. For more information please visit my website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
God Bless,
Steve Scalise
House Majority Whip