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Flood Mitigation
Source: Southern Tier Central Regional Planning & Development Board, www.stcplanning.org
Flooding
is a fact of life in the Southern Tier Central region of New York. Flash floods may occur quickly with little or no warning. Since
the devastating flood caused by Tropical Storm Agnes in June of 1972, various
government agencies and other organizations have made efforts to improve flood
warnings and reduce the damages caused by flooding. STC provides technical assistance for a variety of flood risk management activities.
After evey flood, the tendency has been for
residents to rebuild their lives and pray that "this is the last
destructive one." Structural projects have been built in hopes of
controlling future flood waters. As time passes, people tend to forget
about flooding and become complacent. Additional development occurs in
flood-prone areas. Deforestation and upland development increase the
amount of runoff. Stream channels are allowed to become clogged with
debris. In short, residents of the Southern Tier Central region continue
to grossly underestimate the destructive powers of their rivers, streams, and
lakes. If future flood damages are to be reduced, flood mitigation
measures will need to be incorporated into programs that will outlive the
all-too-short memories of area residents.
Things you can do to manage flood risks
include:
- Pay attention to flood warnings and obey evacuation orders.
- Never drive through flooded roadways: Turn Around Don't Drown!
- Do not dump or throw anything into ditches, streams or other
waterways.
- Maintain undeveloped vegetated buffers along rivers, streams, and lakeshores.
- Protect flood
control structures: Do
not operate motor vehicles on an earthen levee or engage in other
activities that might damage the vegetation.
- Make sure that land use activities do not increase
the amount of
runoff and thus contribute to increased flood hazards.
- If you live in a high flood risk area, take steps to
protect your
property from flood damage.
- Purchase flood insurance for buildings and contents in order to protect your financial
investment.
River
Friends, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the
Chemung River and its tributaries is looking for additional volunteer interns.
For more information, contact Jim Pfiffer at (607) 846-2242 or e-mail at riverfriends@stny.rr.com.
Grant keeps River lovers safer and better educated
Residents of Chemung County will be safer and more educated,
on the Chemung River, thanks to a recent grant awarded to River Friends.
The $758 Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the
Finger Lakes, Inc., mini-grant will purchase life preservers for paddlers on
River Friends sponsored eco-recreation events. The money will also help buy a
digital camera for river-related educational programs and presentations.
