By Robert Pore
robert.pore@theindependent.com

While Americans observe Flood Safety Awareness Week this week, flood control projects in Hall County are expected to provide a greater safety buffer in the future against the devastating effects of flooding.

Last year, a report released by the Army Corps of Engineers estimated that the Wood River flood control project in southern Grand Island saved the community $23.7 million in potential flood damage from the 2005 flood.

Milt Moravek, assistant manager of the Central Platte Natural Resources District, said flood damage that the Wood River project prevented more than paid for the project's cost.

On May 11 and 12, 2005, Grand Island received 7.21 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service in Hastings. The heavy rain caused extensive flooding throughout Grand Island.

Moravek said the Army Corps of Engineers reported that $23,687,400 of damage was prevented during the 2005 flood. The total cost of the Wood River flood control project was $15.5 million, saving homeowners and insurance companies more than $8 million.

The Wood River project came about because of the millions of dollars in property damage from flooding in Grand Island in 1967.

On average, according to the National Weather Service, more people are killed by flooding than by any other single severe weather hazard, including tornadoes, lightning and hurricanes. Most of those deaths occur at night, when it is more difficult to recognize flood dangers, as well as when people are trapped in vehicles.

That could have happened in Grand Island with the 2005 flood.

"If you look at the May 11, 2005, event, that was not much of a flood in the north part of town because Prairie Creek, which is a major tributary north of town, did not have a lot of rainfall," Moravek said.

He said the rainfall came from Silver and Moores creeks.

"It didn't compare to what the south part of town had in rainfall," Moravek said. "If we would have had that kind of rain in the Prairie Creek watershed, the north part of town would have been totally devastated."

He estimated the damage could have been as high as $25 million in the north part of Grand Island if the heavy rain had tracked farther north.

The Upper Prairie/Silver/Moores Flood Control Project commonly called the northwest flood control project is another long-term project that will provide flood safety to Grand Island, Moravek said.

The project will cover a significant portion of Grand Island that lies west of Highway 281, between Highway 30 and Highway 2.

Moravek said two new flood cell projects will be completed by the end of May. Bids are also being accepted later this month to complete the next phase of the project by building additional cells.

Moravek said the project will also include several dry dams and levy and channel improvement.

Another benefit from the flood control projects is wildlife habitat. Moravek said 500 acres of wildlife habitat was created by the Wood River project, and the northwest project will create 900 acres of habitat.

"Once the project is completed, it will provide 100-year flood protection for the northern part of Grand Island what the Wood River project does for the south end of Grand Island," Moravek said.

He said the project is not expected to be completed until 2017.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said this spring marks the 15th anniversary of the Great Midwest Flood of 1993, when excessive snowmelt and heavy rains caused one of the largest floods in U.S. history.

FEMA officials said the National Weather Service is predicting similar weather conditions this spring.

From April through October 1993, nine Midwest states suffered widespread flood devastation, FEMA said. The floods caused an estimated $15 billion in total damages and $270 million in insured damages. In Nebraska, residents incurred $4,772,145 of that damage.

A majority of Nebraska residents are not protected with flood insurance, according to FEMA.

"It's not just high-risk areas that can flood more than 25 percent of all flood insurance claims are from low- to moderate-risk areas," FEMA officials said.

FloodSmart.gov provides tools and resources for learning about the risks of flooding and benefits of flood insurance.

Flood safety tips

Do NOT drive onto a flooded roadway.

Do NOT drive through flowing water.

Drive with extreme caution if roads are even just wet or it is raining. You can lose control of your vehicle if hydroplaning occurs, with a layer of water building up between your tires and the road.

If a flash flood warning is issued for your area

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

Get out of areas that are subject to flooding and move to a safe area before access is cut off by floodwaters.

Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.

Do not drive if not necessary. Never drive around a barricade. If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and move to higher ground.

Do not try to walk, swim or play in floodwater. If water is moving swiftly, as little as 6 inches of water can knock you off your feet. There is also a danger of hazardous materials polluting the water, and if power lines are down, there is a possibility of electrocution.

Always continue to monitor the situation through your NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards, local television or radio stations.

Why is "Turn Around Don't Drown" so important?

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather-related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. More than half of all flood-related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these, many are preventable.

Source: National Weather Service