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Panel: Communication key to cut risk of flooding
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A lone pedestrian waits at a bus top on a flooded street in Washington on Sept. 9, 1996. Flooding in the District has remained a continual problem throughout the years, resulting in millions of dollars in damge to the District.
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The rain fell for five days straight in the District of Columbia during the last week of June 2006. Eleven inches accumulated over that time, smashing old records for rainfall in a five-day period. The flooding that resulted cost the federal government millions of dollars.
On Wednesday, representatives of federal agencies — the National Capital Planning Commission, the General Services Administration and the Department of Homeland Security — and the D.C. government outlined suggestions for reducing the risk of disastrous flooding in the future. The last flood caused so much destruction because of a lack of communication between federal agencies and local government, according to Terri Forline of the GSA.
“During this event, Commerce (Department) didn't get reached. And the IRS didn't get reached and the FBI didn't get reached, and the answer was, 'Because you were federal.'”
The commission could not specify what communication strategies would be needed to coordinate a future disaster response more efficiently.
“We need to develop that federal agency network and not just at a very high level, but at the working level,” Forline said. “We need to get plugged into that local group. We know the need is there. We did not come up with a solution.”
The GSA hired an independent consultant to study the causes behind the flood. The results of the study were not made public, but in a summary provided by the commission, the consultant could not come to a definitive conclusion as to why Federal Triangle flooded so thoroughly and quickly.
Roger Gans, of the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, stressed a multifaceted approach to flood mitigation. One of the long-term goals would be another study to promote effective flood prevention in the future.
The proposed study would be expensive, but as of right now, according to an commission report, “there is not a long-term federal or local management plan in this important area.”
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:52 PM MST on Sat., Sep. 8, 2007 re: "Flooded Midwest, Plains Try Recover"
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5:34 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 3, 2007
re: "Oil Plus Floods Turn Kansas Town Slimy"
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6:23 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Flooding Forces Kansas Town's Evacuation"
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11:33 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Hundreds Evacuate As Plains Rivers Bulge"
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10:47 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Hundreds Evacuate As Plains Rivers Bulge"
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Examiner Reader said:
Is there anywhere that I can search for information concerning two Rushford, MN relatives (Lyle & Gladys Meyers) who have not been heard from since the town was evacuated during the flooding? Appreciate your help. Denny Engle d-n-d-2@peoplepc.com
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Examiner Reader said:
is there anyone who is looking to locate to maine for a safe environment - l have a large home on the river and am looking for someone who is family oriented with children to share this magnificant home with me. please respond if yo are interested
786 agree | 185 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
There aren't any ariel photos of the flooded towns in southeast Kansas. Photos would give everyone a better idea of how massive the flooding is.
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Mike H. said:
You have my sympathies Pearlie Mae Cain. I hope that your brother and sister are alright.
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Pearlie Mae Cain said:
I Pearlie Was Bron and rised in Coffeyville ; And it saded me Because it is one Town you could be happy it was a historyical ; And ever Four year's we would have Home coming I will miss going home God Bless every one there ; I have not heard from my Brother are sister ; Herman scott 409 east 4th street And Lydia that live in th third street apartments Love you
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