How Science Can Help Reduce America’s Risk from Floods

3/9/2006, Flooding is the most frequent natural disaster, costing about $6 billion in losses annually and threatening lives and property in every state. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates a nationwide streamgage network that is critical to saving lives and mitigating flood damage.

"For more than a century, the USGS has played a key role in better understanding the nature of floods – their causes, effects and hazards" said Senator Pete Domenici, Chairman, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "Monitoring the water level and flow of the Nation’s rivers and streams, coupled with the long-term data collected by the USGS streamgaging network, enables communities to prepare for and react to floods. This information helps us make decisions that mitigate losses from future floods"

You are invited to attend and learn how USGS and its partners are working to meet the challenge of reducing America’s flood risk.

What:

The USGS will host a congressional briefing about efforts to detect, monitor, and prepare for floods nationwide.

Who:

Robert M. Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, USGS
Peter Gabrielsen, Chief, Hydrologic Services Division, National Weather Service
Steve Fitzgerald, Chief Engineer, Harris County Flood Control District
David Ford, President, David Ford Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Where:

Room 2325 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC

When:

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2006

Sponsors:

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman
U.S. Senator Pete V. Domenici
U.S. Representative John Culberson
U.S. Representative James P. Moran
U.S. Representative John E. Peterson
U.S. Representative George P. Radanovich

Host: The Association of State Floodplain Managers

For more information, log onto www.usgs.gov/solutions.

The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

Contact Information

Clarice Nassif Ransom

Office of Communication

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey

Contact via E-mail