Murphy and Rouzer Champion Second Annual North Carolina WATERS Summit

Wilmington, N.C. – Today, North Carolina Reps. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) and David Rouzer (NC-07) held the second annual Water Adaptation to Ensure Regional Success (WATERS) Summit at the Wilmington Convention Center in Wilmington, NC. This full day nonpartisan event brought together over 150 local, state, and federal leaders, academic experts, and flooding mitigation professionals to discuss adaptation strategies to waterway challenges in Eastern North Carolina. 

“Our WATERS Summit has quickly become an essential pillar of flood management and water adaptation in Eastern North Carolina,” said Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. “Together, we are working towards a targeted, solutions-based approach to inland flooding and creating a workable blueprint for disaster preparedness. I’m grateful to the dozens of local leaders, regional experts, and international partners who took the time to participate in our annual nonpartisan event to create a safer, more resilient future for North Carolina.”

“Devastating inland and coastal flooding upends the livelihoods of families, businesses, and even entire communities,” said Rep. David Rouzer. “Collaboration between every level of government and private innovators is key to better prepare for the future. During today’s second annual WATERS Summit, we brought together leading experts from across the globe to discuss ways we can increase resiliency and better protect North Carolina from flood risk. I thank everyone who participated today, and I look forward to continuing our work on innovative flood solutions for years to come.”

“North Carolina is now a national leader and model for flood resilience thanks to the hard work and partnerships built between our federal, state and local partners,” said Majority Leader John Bell. “This event showcases the great work being done by our state leaders to mitigate flooding and make North Carolina more resilient before the next storm hits. Thank you to Congressmen Murphy and Rouzer for bringing everyone together and organizing this important discussion.”

“North Carolina is no stranger to flooding, but with local, state, and federal officials focused on this issue, the state is taking a leadership role for the rest of the country to follow,” said Jay Faison, Chairman of the American Flood Coalition Executive Advisory Board. “I want to thank Reps. Murphy and Rouzer for their steadfast leadership on flood protection and for convening this impressive group of leaders - from all levels - to address this head on.”

WATERS Summit speakers included: Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) (virtual), Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, Majority Leader John Bell, Speaker Tim Moore, and American Flood Coalition Chairman Jay Faison. Several stakeholders were also represented, including: NCDOT, NCDA&CS, NC Soil and Water Commission, NC Farm Bureau, NCDEQ, NCORR, and USDA, in addition to private organizations and leading academic institutions.

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