KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |Corps studies strategies for the elevated Miss. River threat

Corps studies strategies for the elevated Miss. River threat

VICKSBURG, Ms., (KNOE 8 News) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, is identifying and developing communication strategies for the elevated threat in the Mississippi River's flood risk reduction system brought about by 2011 flood damages.
 
A USACE regional flood preparedness team is currently building on Mississippi River damage assessment information (which includes levees, reservoirs, channel stabilization and floodways). The massive 2011 flood damaged many structures, navigation channels and levees along the Mississippi River, leaving many in a state of vulnerability that raise concerns for increased
risk of diminished performance, possible failure and potential for adverse consequence to their dependent communities, citizens and industry. The risks are being carefully assessed along with consideration for potential risk reduction measures that may be needed prior to the enactment of full repairs.

"Each damaged location has been characterized by its likelihood of failure and potential consequences if there is a failure," said Scott Whitney, Regional Flood Risk Manager for the Mississippi Valley Division. "This information will be communicated through information papers and via a web-based mapping application called CorpsMap. "The regional flood preparedness team is currently completing templates of the risk documents and will begin distributing this information in February 2012," Whitney added.

In addition to the risk information above, select high-risk areas within the Mississippi River Valley will be modeled with a hypothetical major flood using historical data and the National Weather Service spring forecast and mapped to show potential inundation (e.g., inundation timing and depth). 

This regionally standardized inundation information is extremely helpful for interagency  collaboration designed to enhance or improve preparation, mitigation and response to flooding emergencies.