U.S. Senator Katie Britt has been named a “Federal Champion” by the American Flood Coalition for her work supporting flood resilience, disaster preparedness and water forecasting programs in Alabama and nationwide.
The nonpartisan coalition announced the recognition Thursday, making Britt the second member of Alabama’s congressional delegation to receive the designation. She joins 59 bipartisan members of Congress recognized by the group for work addressing flooding and storm-related challenges.
“Alabama is home to world-class federal research institutions that are leading the country on flood data and forecasting,” Britt said.
“I am proud to support their work to deliver accurate, updated rainfall and flood data that engineers, planners, and communities need to build more resilient infrastructure and flood-ready communities.”
Britt specifically highlighted Alabama’s role in national water research and forecasting.
The National Water Center, located on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, serves as a hub for NOAA’s efforts to improve flood and drought forecasting nationwide. It is also home to the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology, or CIROH, a partnership led by the University of Alabama involving more than two dozen institutions.
Britt has supported federal funding for both programs. The Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations package included $30 million for CIROH and at least $40 million for the National Water Center.
She has also supported NOAA’s forthcoming Atlas 15 project, which will update nationwide precipitation-frequency estimates used by engineers and planners to design infrastructure for heavy rainfall and flooding.
“Whether supporting FEMA funding as a senior appropriator or fighting for NOAA facilities in her state, Senator Britt understands that flood resilience starts long before a storm makes landfall,” American Flood Coalition founder and Executive Director Melissa Roberts said.
Britt chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, giving her oversight of funding for FEMA and other Department of Homeland Security disaster preparedness and response programs.
Her appropriations work has also included individual Alabama flood-mitigation projects, including $2.645 million secured this year for restoration of Birmingham’s Village Creek floodplain, an area that has experienced repeated flooding for decades.
“As a Federal Champion, I look forward to working with the American Flood Coalition to ensure those investments reach communities across Alabama and the nation,” Britt said.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
