American Flood Coalition

Representative Ted Davis Joins in Strong, Bipartisan Commitment to Address Flooding

On four year anniversary of Hurricane Matthew, Representative Ted Davis signals effort to tackle challenges caused by flooding and severe storms

Washington, DC—Today, the American Flood Coalition announced that Representative Ted Davis along with 14 of his colleagues in the North Carolina House of Representatives, including House Speaker Tim Moore, joined its nonpartisan, national alliance of more than 200 elected officials, civic groups, military leaders and cities. The Coalition’s members work together to advance proactive solutions to the challenges posed by more frequent flooding, stronger storms, and rising seas. “My membership signals a shared bipartisan commitment to strengthening North Carolina’s infrastructure, protecting property values, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and saving lives” stated Representative Davis.

In three of the past five years, a major hurricane has hit North Carolina, causing record-level flooding and leaving a lasting, devastating impact on communities across the state. Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, in 2016 and 2018 respectively, caused an estimated $27 billion in economic damage, including nearly $3 billion in agricultural losses across North Carolina. Since 2000, more than 545,000 home and property owners in the state have made flood damage claims through FEMA. New data shows that over the next 30 years, nearly 604,000 inland and coastal properties in North Carolina may be at substantial risk of flooding.

"Today marks a historic opportunity, four years after the landfall of Hurricane Matthew on our coast, to redouble North Carolina’s ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable lives and infrastructure from severe flooding,” Speaker Moore said. “I appreciate Representative Ted Davis joining with his colleagues to maintain a strong recovery and strategic focus on storm resiliency, while giving voice to the concerns of their communities through the American Flood Coalition.”

“I am excited to welcome Representative Ted Davis to this bipartisan and committed group of leaders as we launch the American Flood Coalition’s engagement in North Carolina,” said Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of the American Flood Coalition. “Severe storms and flooding have become a common and increasingly dangerous threat to North Carolina communities in recent years. Representative Davis understands first-hand the effects of flooding in and around New Hanover County and the urgent need to come together to find thoughtful solutions to address the harmful impacts of future flooding.”