Congress rarely sings as a chorus. Infighting and quid pro quo are the status quo on Capitol Hill. Although legislators reluctantly pass legislation without fanfare, lawmakers more than happily reached across the aisle this week in introducing the TORNADO Act. The legislation could improve storm forecasting by urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to update its storm prediction and weather alert communications. While each congressperson acted in their state’s best interest, the Tornado Act could save lives nationwide.
“We saw the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to several communities throughout Georgia last year, many of them are still in the throes of the long recovery process. As Georgians continue to be impacted by increasingly severe weather, we must use every tool in our arsenal to protect our communities,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “That is why the TORNADO Act is so important. It will help improve our ability to inform Georgians about how these dangerous weather events are expected to impact them and allow them to better prepare and protect themselves. I’m proud to work with Senator Wicker to introduce this crucial bipartisan legislation.”
Tornado Act Short Summary
Among other provisions, the TORNADO Act would:
- Require NOAA to prepare and submit an action plan for the national implementation of high-resolution probabilistic guidance for tornado forecasting and prediction.
- Encourage NOAA to evaluate the current tornado rating system and make updates.
- Require NOAA to coordinate with appropriate entities when conducting post-storm assessments to optimize data collection, sharing, and integration.
“While we can’t prevent storms from occurring, the TORNADO Act will improve severe weather forecasting, notifying the public faster and allowing Hoosiers to find safety more quickly,” said Senator Young. “This bill will better protect communities in Indiana and across the nation when severe weather comes.”
Legislation Could Improve Shelter Fund Access
The federal treasury and fund distribution are under great scrutiny. Each lawmaker is pleading their case for additional state funding. The TORNADO Act could garner more attention to America’s tornado shelter shortage. Although FEMA offers tornado shelter reimbursement, fund allocation is limited. Increased legislative pressure and complementary legislation, such as the Tornado Act, could change Uncle Sam’s stance on tornado shelter subsidies. U.S. Safe Room offers above-ground and panelized shelter kit models for each demographic and workflow. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation.
