ANDREW E. DEHOFF, P.E.

Harrisburg

As I write this, the horror of the devastating flash floods in Central Texas continues to unfold. While we’re not directly involved with flood rescue and recovery efforts, at times like this, we’re reminded of the critical importance of our flood risk management work here in the Susquehanna River Basin. We work in partnership with communities repeatedly impacted by significant flood events to expand local flood warning and response capabilities through a combination of advanced monitoring data, tailored forecast information, and decision support tools. We collaborate with partner agencies and stakeholders, conduct flood studies and develop flood inundation mapping for vulnerable communities to improve their assessment of flood risks and facilitate cost-effective mitigation decisions.

Floods can be localized events. So, often our efforts must be too. For example, the West Branch Susquehanna River poses a significant flood threat to Jersey Shore Borough in Lycoming County, Pa. Recently, we partnered with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to create flood risk educational pamphlets for their residents. The material teaches them how to recognize their property’s flood risk, explains flooding and forecasting terminology and provides other tools to prepare them to react before being impacted by a flood event.

In our summer newsletter, you’ll read about Ben Pratt, our Water Resources Engineer, who recently chaired the National Hydrologic Warning Council’s conference in Arizona. Professionals that deal in hydrologic warning techniques and systems from across the country came together to share information and learn from each other. As climate projections point to the implications of future hydrologic extremes, collaboration, science and community outreach will only become more important as we work together to save lives and property.

Andrew D. Dehoff is executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission in Harrisburg.