SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9
(By Senators Fanning, Hunter and Stollings)
Requesting the Director of the Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management immediately repair inoperative Integrated
Flood Warning System rain and stream gauges to a minimum
operational efficiency rating of 90 percent and provide
ongoing maintenance.
Whereas, The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency
Management operates the Integrated Flood Warning System, known as
IFLOWS, which is made up of a computer-operated communications
network and rain and stream gauges; and
Whereas, Flood warnings and flood watches in West Virginia are
issued by the National Weather Service based upon information
obtained from IFLOWS rain and stream gauges located throughout the
state; and
Whereas, Advanced flood warning is critical to saving lives,
reducing property damage and reducing disruption of commerce and
human activities; and
Whereas, In July, 2003, the National Weather Service
recognized West Virginia as having the largest and most reliable
IFLOWS network of the 13 states in the eastern district with an
operational efficiency rating over 90 percent; and
Whereas, In July, 2004, the operational efficiency rating was at 60 percent and remained at the same level four months later; and
Whereas, The National Weather Service provides an annual grant
to the IFLOWS program which provides nearly 25 percent of program
funding; and
Whereas, IFLOWS grants to states are competitively awarded on
merit and the ability of a state to maintain its IFLOWS network is
a key criteria by which a state is judged; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Director of the
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management immediately
repair inoperative Integrated Flood Warning System rain and stream
gauges to a minimum operational efficiency rating of 90 percent and
provide ongoing maintenance; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Director of the Division of
Homeland Security and Emergency Management report to the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance on or before the first day of
June, 2007, and thereafter as may be required, as to the
operational efficiency of the IFLOWS network.