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October 8, 2002 COMMISSIONERS ASSIGN BROOKINGS, DIXON AS FLOOD FIGHT COORDINATORS October 20-26 declared Skagit County Flood Awareness Week SKAGIT COUNTY - The Skagit County Commissioners unanimously signed a resolution appointing Public Works Administrator Dave Brookings and Surface Water Manager Don Dixon as Flood Fight Coordinators for the coming flood season at their October 1 meeting. They also proclaimed October 21 through 25, 2002 as Flood Awareness Week. The resolution also stated that flooding is historically the most prevalent type of natural disaster to affect Skagit County and the roles and responsibilities of the Skagit County Department of Public Works must be clearly understood during a flood disaster event. Last flood season, the Skagit River reached flood stage three times, but fortunately, no significant damage was reported. The last major flood on the Skagit River was in 1995. The Commissioners defined the role of the Public Works Department during a flood event as follows: to maintain County transportation facilities, roads and bridges, to provide materials and equipment to Flood Fight Operations, and to maintain the levee systems during an event. The role of the Department's Flood Fight Coordinators is to coordinate the use of the Department's resources for a flood fight, as well as work in cooperation with other federal, state, and local entities to reduce flood damages as much as possible. All other County departments will fulfill their customary disaster obligations during a flood event by communicating and coordinating their activities with the Coordinators. In preparation for the potential of a flood fight this fall, Skagit County Public Works has scheduled several training sessions for staff members. Sector field reviews and training are also on the schedule. A "Flood Awareness" mailer will be delivered to every Skagit County home with information on how to prepare for a flood, before, during and after the event occurs. A breakfast meeting is planned for October 23 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and flood district and sector leaders. On October 25 a sector wrap up meeting is scheduled and a sandbag training exercise will take place administered by Dike District 12. After all events are completed, a work session will be held with the Board of Commissioners to discuss flood issues and the response to Flood Awareness Week. Download the Flood Awareness Week Event Schedule Here (Adobe .pdf) For more information,
contact: Dan Berentson
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