Local U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Illinois), a former meteorologist, is teaming up with U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas) to address rural weather coverage.
Sorensen recently introduced the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act. If approved, the bipartisan bill would strengthen weather radar coverage in rural and underserved areas. That could cover areas like parts of Texas, where significant flooding has led to over 100 deaths.
The legislation, if approved, would require the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the state of rural weather radar systems. From there, Sorensen says his legislation could lead to recommended actions to improve early detection of severe weather.
Sorensen’s congressional district includes Viola, Matherville, New Windsor, and Sherrard in Mercer County.