U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart (IL-12) yesterday convened a roundtable of officials at Shawnee Community College in Ullin to discuss flood prevention and flood response.
The roundtable was designed to bring together state and federal agencies with local officials and elected leaders, in an exchange of information and future planning.
Enyart was joined by officials from the Illinois National Guard, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Office of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and local officials.
“The levees and reservoirs in St. Louis District prevented more than 3.4 billion dollars in damages during last year’s floods, and prevented any loss of life, ” said Col. Christopher Hall, commander of the St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “ That success is not just attributed to structures. It requires the partnership of our elected leaders, levee districts and responders at all levels of government. Through these ongoing partnerships, we have been able to better prepare for high water, respond more effectively, recover more quickly, and reduce flood risk to the public.”
This discussion was designed to not only bring stakeholders together, but to also discuss how stakeholders can work together in the future to prevent flooding, and respond accordingly in the instance of a flood.
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Press Release, April 24, 2014