In a statement issued on 29th October the USACE district said it is monitoring water levels at 14 dams and lakes throughout Western Maryland, Central Pennsylvania and Southern New York. It has also activated an emergency operations centre in Baltimore, and is in constant coordination with local and state officials to offer technical assistance.
‘Public safety is our number one priority, and we are committed to supporting our local partners and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as needed,’ said Colonel J. Richard Jordan, commander of the Baltimore District. ‘We are fully equipped and standing by to provide support during and after Hurricane Sandy impacts the area.’
In anticipation of flood events throughout the region, hydraulic engineers are paying close attention to the developing storm and its likely track, continuously monitoring current conditions and forecasts to ensure the integrity of its network of 14 dams and 241km of federally-built levees.
‘Based on recent inspections of our district’s levees and dams, we are confident the projects will perform as designed,’ said Jordan. ‘All district reservoirs are at normal pool levels and available to handle the predicted amount of rainfall.’
