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April 2009                                                                       Volume 16 - Number 3

Disaster Preparedness...

Preparations by local, state and Federal authorities for potential spring flooding in the Midwest.

C. J. Infantino

Hours of research has found little to describe the actions taking place across the mid-west to prepare for the 2009 above average floods. Current articles covering this year’s potential flooding event were centered on North Dakota or St. Louis who was pointing fingers at the Corps. However, there were some actions being taken and reported from

Local: Fargo, ND; local officials have been meeting with the Corps of Engineers, National Weather Service and the surrounding cities to discuss possible options and what can be done. Federal forecasters predict a 50 to 75 percent chance of flooding within the Red River Valley. Several public meetings have been held to advise the public on preparation and proper actions to be taken during a flood event.

State: Gov. John Hoeven issued a statewide disaster declaration to help activate state resources and pave the way for federal aid. He said he has asked for help from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Federal: The NOAA, Corps of Engineers and the NWS has been publishing articles, PSA, s and holding meetings with local governments and the public to brief on the current status of stream elevations, flood stages and possible cresting elevations. And, they are briefing on the actions that the community should take to prepare for an event greater that the 1993 Mid-west floods.

In the Pittsburgh District we have surveyed our AOR, assessed the snow pack, local river elevations, moisture saturation of the ground and how weather forecasts to determine the probability of floods. We have shared this info with Local Flood Protection Projects (LFPP) and our other local partners. We have also reviewed the elevations at our lake projects and have begun planning for dam operations to reduce the amount of water being held. This will increase our capacities at the lakes if we should experience a massive flood event in our AOR.

International: Rideau Valley Conservation Authority in Manotick, Ontario has initiated publishing articles in the local newspapers covering the subjects of Preparedness and Planning for flooding. They provide the area residents with contact numbers and offer residents the opportunity to register for automatic messaging to their e-mail addresses and fax machines.

Flood Safety Awareness Week 2009, March 16 – 20.

References:

- Associated Press, Ken Thomas, February 13, 2009

- Around the Rideau, January/February 2009

- Wtop.com, AP Writer Dave Kolpack, March 14, 2009