SUBJECT: Record Floods Prompt Nationwide Campaign
Local communities exhausted by consistent flooding with little relief
Alliance of flood survivors launch United Flooded States of America
“We’re hurting, and need action to stop floodplain development and climate change” – Alliance Director Harriet Festing
More than 30 local and regional leaders across 16 states are joining together to start a national campaign to combat flooding. The United Flooded States of America, an initiative of Higher Ground, represent hundreds of thousands of people in cities, suburbs, towns and villages from across the U.S., who have been harmed by irresponsible building and climate change. They want action now to stop development in wetlands and floodplains, reform flood insurance laws, and reduce human-caused greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Their flag shows 50 stars, representing the 50 states, above a scene of flooded streets.
Starting July 1st, community leaders and flood survivors will bombard local, state and national politicians with videos, photographs, emails and postcards, documenting flooding that plagues many communities and often goes unaddressed. No one is safe from flooding, and these flood survivors are examples of that. They come from all walks of life and many have dramatic stories to tell.
The campaign was initiated by Harriet Festing, who leads Higher Ground, the largest flood survivor network in the country. “I’ve been working with some of these community leaders for almost two years, helping them find the resources they need to rebuild. But every time we meet, the subject returns to how to stop future flooding, not just recover from past disasters. After this year’s record-breaking flooding in the Midwest, we agreed that the time to speak up is now.” Pensacola, Florida leader Gloria Horning puts it this way: “These politicians must be part deaf not to hear what’s going on. So, we are going to shout out loud as we can: No building in floodplains and wetlands. Stop global warming now.”
Another leader in Port Arthur, Texas, Hilton Kelly, has seen all he needs to of flooding and contaminated streets, homes and waterways. “In our town, the oil and gas companies get what they need from our federal government and we get dirty and wet. We won’t take it anymore. They need to clean the place up, fix our homes, or pay us to move someplace safe and clean. When will our legislators get the message? This campaign is all about making sure they do.”
Higher Ground and Anthropocene Alliance are funded by a generous grant from the Kresge Foundation. Additional funding for Higher Ground has been provided by the U.S. Climate Action Network, and the Climigration Network, which recently named Harriet Festing an “Agenda Setter.”
Contact:
Dr. Stephen F. Eisenman
Co-Founder, Anthropocene Alliance, and Director of Art and Policy
s-eisenman@northwestern.edu 626-394-3311
Harriet Festing
Co-Founder, Anthropocene Alliance and Executive Director
www.anthropocenealliance.org
harriet@anthropocenealliance.org
Press release – UFSA 06.20.2019
