Annual workshops prepare partners for flood season

Published March 1, 2014

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District will conduct its annual flood preparedness workshops over the next two weeks with levee districts, the National Weather Service, as well as local, state and federal emergency responders from across the region.

The workshops give levee districts an opportunity to hear presentations on the National Weather Service’s spring flood outlook, levee safety, flood preparedness and response capabilities, and recovery efforts from the floods of 2013. The workshops also provide an opportunity for levee owners and the public to talk with the Corps and its partner agencies about any levee operation and maintenance problems and overall flood preparedness.

“These workshops are an important part of our shared responsibility to reduce flood risk to the people we serve,” said Jake Scanlon, chief of the St. Louis District’s Readiness Branch. “Communication between our partners at the local, state and federal level helps us to better prepare, respond and recover from floods.”

Four workshops will be held to cover the St. Louis District’s 28,000-square mile area of responsibility:

Elsberry/St. Charles Areas

Monday, March 3, 6:30-8:30pm
Lincoln County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 201 Main Street, Troy, Missouri 63379

St. Louis/East Side/Kaskaskia Areas

Thursday, March 6, 6:30-8:30pm
Fairview Heights Fire Department Engine House 1, 10045 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208

Illinois River Area

Monday, March 10, 6:30-8:30pm
Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 310 East State Street, Jacksonville, Illinois 62650

Cape Girardeau Area

Wednesday, March 12, 6:30-8:30pm
Osage Centre, 1625 North Kingshighway St, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

The St. Louis District has more than 750 miles of levees in its area of responsibility, as well as five flood control reservoirs. Collectively, these structures prevented more than 3.4 billion dollars in damages during the floods of 2013.

In the event of inclement weather, any updates or changes will be posted to www.mvs.usace.army.mil


Contact
Michael Petersen
314-331-8002
michael.w.petersen@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-019