PEMA, Partner Agencies Collaborate On Nonstructural Floodproofing Prevention Workshops In April

The PA Emergency Management Agency, along with the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District Silver Jackets team, will host three regional flood proofing workshops across western Pennsylvania next month.

The informational workshops are intended for the general public as well as local elected and community officials.

These events will give attendees an opportunity to learn about the different types of nonstructural flood proofing techniques from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Nonstructural Flood Proofing Committee.

The discussion will include topics such as elevating buildings, wet and dry flood proofing and relocation/acquisition.

The times for all workshops will be the same at each location. An afternoon workshop will be conducted for community officials from 1 to 4:30 p.m.; the public is invited to attend an evening workshop session from 7 until 9 p.m.

Dates and locations are as follows:

-- April 4: Green Tree Municipal Building, 10 West Manilla Ave., Green Tree, Allegheny County;

-- April 5: Butler County EMA Office, 120 McCune Drive, Butler, Butler County; and

-- April 6: Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, Erie County.

While these events are free, attendance will be limited. To reserve a seat, send email to: RA-SHAZMITOFF@pa.gov with the location and session (community officials or public) you would like to attend.

Federal and state representatives will be on hand to discuss other floodplain management topics, such as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Community Rating System (CRS). Continuing Education Credits are pending approval from ASFPM for floodplain managers who attend.

More information on flood proofing is available at the National Nonstructural Flood Proofing Committee website. For questions regarding the flood proofing workshop, please contact Michael Debes, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at 412-395-7327 or send email to: Michael.R.Debes@usace.army.mil.