Foster Introduces Legislation to Research Windstorms, Mitigate Damage

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program Reauthorization Act.

This legislation reauthorizes the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program through Fiscal Year 2029, providing critical funding for the program to continue its research into how to mitigate the injuries and property damage caused by windstorms. It also directs the program to develop and implement new standards to make housing and infrastructure more resilient, and to study the impacts of climate change on windstorms.

"From a devastating EF-3 tornado striking Naperville and Woodridge in 2021 to a record number of tornadoes hitting northern Illinois in 2023, our community is no stranger to the threat of severe weather. The science is clear: These storms will continue to grow more frequent and powerful with the effects of climate change," said Rep. Foster. "That's why I'm proud to lead the effort in Congress to reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, which will provide critical resources to continue the program's research and ensure we are all safer the next time a windstorm strikes."

The National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program is a research and implementation program that combines the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science Foundation. The last formal authorization bill for the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program expired in 2017.

A copy of the bill can be found here.

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