U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on Feb. 4 announced bipartisan legislation that aims to reduce flood risks and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting. The bill, supported by ACWA, would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service.
In addition to ACWA, the bill is endorsed by a number of member agencies, including Contra Costa Water District, Irvine Ranch Water District, Kings River Conservation District, Orange County Water District, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Solano County Water Agency, Sonoma Water, Valley Water and Yuba Water.
Atmospheric rivers — often described as “rivers in the sky” that are hundreds of miles wide and can carry water vapor equivalent to multiple Mississippi Rivers — cause more than 80% of flood damage across the West. Climate change will only make these storms increasingly catastrophic: by 2090, atmospheric rivers are expected to cost $2.3 to $3.2 billion in annual damages and increase in width by nearly 25%.
“For the past several years, California communities have witnessed firsthand the ongoing threat of destructive flooding caused by increasingly intense and frequent atmospheric river storms,” stated Senator Padilla in a news release. “California has led the way in improving our understanding of these storms, and this bipartisan bill will strengthen forecasts to reduce flood risks while bolstering our water supply and drought resilience.”
“With greater frequency, we are seeing that atmospheric rivers instill dangerous climate conditions that pose deadly threats to Alaska communities,” stated Senator Murkowski in the news release. “While there are numerous atmospheric river observatories in the Lower 48, none are in Alaska. This bill ensures that all states along the West coast, including Alaska, have at least one atmospheric river observatory. Along with improved modeling, data collection, and risk communication, this legislation will help protect our communities and ultimately save lives across Alaska.”
Specifically, the bill proposes to direct NOAA to establish a standalone atmospheric river forecast improvement program that would:
- Develop accurate, effective, and actionable storm forecasts and warnings in collaboration with public and private partners across the weather forecasting sectors;
- Evaluate innovative observation tools and emerging technologies to improve atmospheric river analysis, modeling, forecasts, and warnings;
- Authorize NOAA to procure equipment, aircraft, and personnel contracts to fully monitor atmospheric river events each winter; and
- Improve atmospheric river hazard communication.
The full text of the bill is available here.
