PRINTER'S NO. 2739

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

345

Session of

2024

INTRODUCED BY WARREN, ZIMMERMAN, VENKAT, JOZWIAK, GIRAL, VITALI,

LEADBETER, HOHENSTEIN, CIRESI, FLICK, D. WILLIAMS AND

DELLOSO, MARCH 19, 2024

Premium Assistance Task Force to review existing statutes,

practices and rules relating to flood insurance in this

Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, One of the duties of the task force is to complete a

report that includes information on how to educate residents of

this Commonwealth about the risk of flooding, as well as ways to

mitigate the occurrence of floods; and

WHEREAS, The National Weather Service recognizes the week of

March 18 through 22, 2024, as "Flood Awareness Week" and

provides information to educate people on the dangers of

WHEREAS, Flooding can also impact human health as floodwaters

can carry contaminants and pollute drinking water; and

WHEREAS, People with low incomes, people who are elderly or

experiencing homelessness and communities of color may be

disproportionately impacted by flooding as they are less likely

to have flood insurance or the ability to relocate during a

flood; and

WHEREAS, Flooding can cause environmental problems such as

landslides and mudslides; and

WHEREAS, Flooding typically develops in this Commonwealth as

1955.

and

WHEREAS, In 2023, this Commonwealth experienced two major

flooding events in July and December, the costs of which each

exceeded $1 million, and the July flooding even resulted in

drainage capacity in towns and building retaining walls to

protect from landslides and rising sea levels; and

WHEREAS, How people manage waterways, such as dams, levees

and reservoirs, and alterations made to land, such as installing

impermeable roads and parking lots, can change natural drainage

systems and play a role in flooding; and

WHEREAS, Extreme precipitation events often linked to climate

change, such as hurricane frequency and severity and rising sea

levels, are also key factors that lead to flooding; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, the United States Environmental Protection

WHEREAS, A flood watch means that flooding may occur and that

residents should stay alert for possible flooding; and

WHEREAS, A flood warning means that there is actual flooding

occurring to which residents may need to respond; and

WHEREAS, In preparation for a flood, residents of this

Commonwealth are encouraged to use sandbags or other materials

to protect their homes from flood waters, have a professional

install check-valves in plumbing and ensure coverage for

flooding with insurance providers since standard homeowners

insurance does not cover flooding; and

days, know which spots on their property are likely to flood and

charge essential electronics; and

WHEREAS, During a flood, residents of this Commonwealth

should remain aware of changing weather conditions, move to

higher ground, obey evacuation orders, practice electrical

safety by avoiding water that may have electricity in it and

avoid flood waters; and

WHEREAS, As people often underestimate the strength of flood

water, the National Weather Service notes that the safest thing

to do when approaching a flooded area, whether walking or

of work.