A slow-moving tropical storm from June 22-28 caused record flooding that was blamed for at least 20 deaths in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. President Bush declared several areas natural disasters.

Thursday's briefing, hosted by the Northeast-Midwest Institute, was to come up with solutions to deal better when the next flood comes. Carol Collier, executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission, which represents 838 municipalities in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, said the region has had three major floods in less than two years, after having none for nearly 50 years.

Collier recommended redrawing outdated flood plain maps, requiring municipalities to have all-encompassing flood mitigation plans and strengthening the flood warning system.

Collier and Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, both stressed the need to move people and structures out of flood plains.

"We really must not be using our tax dollars to rebuild in the flood plain," van Rossum said.

Paul Swartz, executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, a 27,510 square mile area covering parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, said federal officials need to make it a priority to provide funds for flood mitigation efforts.

"Every one dollar invested into a flood forecasting system is $20 saved in property damages," Swartz said.

By DONNA DE LA CRUZ
Associated Press Writer

July 28th, 2006