IDAHO FALLS AREA – Another U.S. Army Corps of Engineers emergency management flood-fight specialist from the Walla Walla District deployed Saturday to join Corps flood-fight teams already at work supporting local flood response operations in multiple counties near Idaho Falls.
Beth Dailey, a contract performance specialist at the Corps’ Ice Harbor Natural Resources Management Office near Burbank, Wash., (hometown = Kennewick, Wash.) will help Corps flood-fight teams by providing oversight for Corps-contracted work being done at areas of concern along the Snake River in Bingham, Jefferson and Madison counties.
The Corps’ Walla Walla District continues to coordinate with state and local emergency management agencies. Since the first week of May, the District has deployed a total of 11 trained flood-response specialists and delivered a total of 382,000 sandbags to counties and cities in the upper Snake River area; about 100,000 of those bags were stored in Bingham County to enable the Corps to minimize delivery delays in response to requests for assistance from emergency managers in the upper Snake River Basin. Last week, the Corps also sent two Crisafulli pumps to support flood-fight efforts in Jefferson and Bear Lake counties. Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, and county and city emergency management agencies are taking additional precautions.
Minor to moderate flooding is occurring throughout Southeastern Idaho and Western Wyoming from recent rains and snowmelt. According to National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts, streams and rivers will continue to rise as spring weather continues to move in the region. High elevation snowpacks, especially in the upper Snake River headwaters, are melting gradually due to unseasonably cold temperatures, and the snow pack remains significantly high. Reservoirs are being drafted ahead of anticipated heavy spring runoff.
Residents of flood-prone areas are encouraged to keep informed of changing river and weather conditions on the National Weather Service website at http://water.weather.gov/ahps/forecasts.php – which includes flows data, weather forecasts and flood alerts – and by tuning in to local radio and television news stations.
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security http://www.bhs.idaho.gov encourages Idaho residents to be prepared to respond to localized flooding. Individuals are encouraged to contact local emergency management agencies to ensure they understand how to receive updates and information specific to their location. Most county emergency management departments in Idaho have flood-preparedness information on their websites. Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security has an alert system that, based on zip code, will send alerts to whatever device residents choose – sign up at https://mystateusa.com/alertSignup.aspx?region=670.
National Weather Service forecasts indicate that this will be one of the top five years on record. Snake River Basin water volumes are forecasted to be similar to 1997.
Corps water management officials continue coordinating with other federal and non-federal dam managers to make adjustments in river system operations that will best accommodate the increased run-off inflows. Reservoirs are being drafted ahead of anticipated heavy spring runoff. The Corps works closely with other agencies and local government entities to notify the public as early as possible when changes to flows are necessary.
The Corps is authorized to work with states, counties and other public entities to provide necessary resources and information. The Corps does not have authority to provide disaster assistance directly to individuals. The organization will continue to carefully watch the evolving situation and respond, when requested, with whatever assistance is authorized, appropriate and available.
The first responsibility for protecting homes and property from flood damage rests with the individual. Local governments and agencies, such as flood control districts, may share in this responsibility, and together form a community's first line of defense in preventing flood damages.
Occasionally, however, local resources are not able to control or contain a flood emergency situation. The Corps’ flood disaster assistance program is intended to supplement and assist local governments, institutions and special-purpose districts when more help is needed.
The Walla Walla District is prepared to assist states and municipalities with flood-management support, if requested, said Jeff Stidham, Walla Walla District emergency management specialist. That assistance could include technical expertise, supplies and materials, equipment or contracts for emergency flood-fighting work.
“We're watching rivers and streams throughout the Walla Walla District and staying in touch with local emergency officials so, if requested to, we can plan, prepare or act,” said Stidham. “Our top priority is the public’s safety, so we’re encouraging folks in low-lying parts of flood-prone areas stayed tuned to information and advisories provided by the National Weather Service or their local emergency-service agencies and be ready to take action according to local flood response plans.”
State and local agencies needing disaster assistance from the Corps should contact the Walla Walla District Emergency Management Office at (509) 527-7146, or (509) 380-4538.
For more information about Emergency Management Assistance, check out the District’s Web site at www.nww.usace.army.mil/html/offices/op/em/flodasst.htm or call (509) 527-7145.
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