(a) In general
The Administrator shall establish a system, to be known as the “National Integrated Flood Information System”, to better inform and provide for more timely decision making to reduce flood-related effects and costs.
(b) System functionsThe Administrator, through the National Integrated Flood Information System, shall—
(1) provide an effective flood early warning system that—
(A)
collects and integrates information on the key indicators of floods and flood impacts, including streamflow, reservoir release and diversion, precipitation, soil moisture, snow water equivalent, land cover, and evaporative demand;
(D)
provides information described in subparagraph (A), forecasts described in subparagraph (B), and assessments described in subparagraph (C) at the national, regional, and local levels, as appropriate; and
(2)
provide timely data, information, and products that reflect differences in flood conditions among localities, regions, watersheds, and States;
(3)
coordinate and integrate, through interagency agreements as practicable, Federal research and monitoring in support of the flood early warning information system provided under paragraph (1);
(5)
make improvements in seasonal precipitation and temperature, subseasonal precipitation and temperature, and flood water prediction; and
(c) PartnershipsThe Administrator, through the National Integrated Flood Information System, may—
(1)
engage with the private sector to improve flood monitoring, forecasts, land and topography data, and communication, if the Administrator determines that such engagement is appropriate, cost effective, and beneficial to the public and decision makers described in subsection (b)(1)(E)(i);
(2)
facilitate the development of 1 or more academic cooperative partnerships to assist in carrying out the functions of the National Integrated Flood Information System described in subsection (b);
(3)
use and support monitoring by citizen scientists, including by developing best practices to facilitate maximum data integration, as the Administrator considers appropriate;
(4)
engage with, and leverage the resources of, entities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in existence as of December 27, 2022, such as the National Weather Service with respect to forecast and warning functions, the National Integrated Drought Information System, the Regional Climate Center, and the National Mesonet Program, to improve coordination of water monitoring, forecasting, and management; and
(d) Consultation
In developing and maintaining the National Integrated Flood Information System, the Administrator shall consult with relevant Federal, State, local, and Tribal government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector.
(e) Cooperation from other Federal agencies
Each Federal agency shall cooperate as appropriate with the Administrator in carrying out this section.