Lawmakers Host Fifth Annual WATERS Summit in Greenville
Congressmen gather with over 190 attendees to discuss statewide solutions for persistent storm-driven flooding.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Utilities
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U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy and U.S. Rep. David Rouzer hosted the fifth annual WATERS Summit in Greenville, North Carolina. More than 190 people attended to address ongoing flooding damage affecting farms, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
Why it matters
The summit provides a collaborative forum for advocates and experts to develop strategies against recurring flood damage from intense storms. These discussions are intended to protect local economic assets and essential healthcare facilities.
The fifth annual summit brought together over 190 attendees to discuss flood mitigation strategies. The summit focused on issues including Highway 12 damage in Dare County.
The players
Greg Murphy
Greg Murphy is a U.S. Representative who has maintained a residency in the region for 30 years.
David Rouzer
David Rouzer is a U.S. Representative who co-hosted the annual flood mitigation summit.
Bob Woodard
Bob Woodard serves as the Chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners.
The details
Participants heard from flooding experts and regional representatives regarding storm damage across the state. The summit also highlighted Representative Murphy's plan to pass the Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025, which would expand National Flood Insurance Program coverage to include costs for structure demolition.
Timeline
The fifth annual WATERS Summit took place on October 21, 2026.
Market Landscape
The proposed Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025 seeks to expand the current coverage scope of the National Flood Insurance Program. This move reflects a broader industry push to adapt infrastructure policy to accommodate the increasing severity of storm damage.
If passed, the Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025 could provide new financial support for property owners facing structure demolition due to flooding. Residents in flood-prone areas should monitor legislative progress to see if their insurance coverage scope expands.
The takeaway
The summit highlights the ongoing effort to modernize flood response through both federal legislation and collaborative regional planning. Property owners in high-risk zones can look forward to potential policy changes that may soon offer broader protection for storm-damaged structures.
Further reading
Learn more about local infrastructure initiatives by visiting our Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Witn.
Live Poll
Should local governments prioritize funding for storm-related flood resilience projects in your area?
