Army Corps to host public meeting on levee systems, flood risk management

Published July 12, 2018
Many levees are embedded in communities such as this one in Avoca, New York.

Many levees are embedded in communities such as this one in Avoca, New York.

BINGHAMTON, New York – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is hosting a public meeting July 18 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Smart Energy Building at Binghamton University (85 Murray Hill Road in Vestal) to present on and discuss levee systems in Broome, Chenango and Tioga counties along with other flood risk management-related topics like flood mapping, insurance and preparedness. Representatives from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Broome County Office of Emergency Services will also present information. 

The levee systems were constructed by the Corps to reduce flood risk and are owned and operated by DEC Region 7 with assistance from local municipalities. DEC owns many of the flood risk management facilities in the state’s southern tier. 

“The purpose of this meeting is to improve the public’s understanding of the benefits, concerns and risks associated with living behind these levee systems,” said Jehu Johnson, Baltimore District Levee Safety Program manager. “Managing flood risk is a shared responsibility – from the federal level to the public, and we hope residents take advantage of this opportunity to meet with and learn from agency experts.” 

Formal presentations commence at 7 p.m. to include a question and answer portion. This will be preceded and followed by an open house format in which attendees can visit stations and speak to participating agencies to include FEMA and state and local emergency management. 

“Several items go into determining the level of flood risk associated with a levee system, such as how often the area may flood; the condition of the levee system; and the population and development behind a levee system,” said Johnson. “With stronger storms occurring more frequently, we can’t fully rely on levee systems to prevent all floods. Levees reduce risk; they don’t eliminate it.” 

The twelve levee systems being briefed at this meeting include Northeast Binghamton, Northwest Binghamton, South Binghamton, Endicott, Vestal, Johnson City, Whitney Point and Lisle in Broome County; East Greene, West Greene and Oxford in Chenango County; and Nichols in Tioga County.

 

 



Contact
Sarah Lazo
410-962-9015
sarah.d.lazo@usace.army.mil

Release no. 18-043