Just FWIW - It looks like the Delaware river is going to have another flood event. I just got back from the coordination meeting - this is a meeting where all the township emergency managment staff gets together with the emergency services workers and we review our preplans.

Here, with some light editing, is the actual situation report that resulted from this meeting:

Meeting Notes

Coordinated Regional Emergency Management Meeting
01 April 2005 20:00-21:00

Attending

Nockamixon Township Emergency Management
Bridgeton Township Emergency Management
Durham Township Emergency Management
Springfield Township Emergency Management
Rieglesville River Watch/ Emergency Management
Chief, Station 41
Station 47
Squad 142
Nockamixon Township Supervisor

Summary

The Delaware River is predicted to flood, with a crest of 26-30 feet, around 03:00 Sunday 03 April 2005. This is at or about the level of the September 2004 flood.

Nockamixon Township Building will serve as regional command for this incident.

Each township will establish localized command and route information to Nockamixon command.

Nockamixon command will open at or around 06:00 2 April 2005 and remain in operation until no longer needed.

All Emergency Operations will be on Bucks County TAC 3
Phone Number (610)
Alternate Phone (610)
Fax (610)
Ham Radio Frequencies TBD.

Public Communications - Announcements via WDVR FM 89.7

Dale Marino will provide river readings from Rieglesville on the hour via Tac 3


Key Advisories

RIVER HEIGHT & GROUND SATURATION - As of 1 April 2005, the River is over 14 feet, On September 18th 2004, the river was just under 5 Feet. For the September 04 floods, the ground was relatively dry before the rains came, on April 01 the ground is saturated. In September '04 the NY reservoirs that drain into the upper Delaware were not full, they are now. Add to this snow melt. The river rose from 5 feet to 33 feet in 12 hours in September 04. It is prudent to suggest that a similar or greater rise rate is probable given the amount of rain forecast.

TRAFFIC CONTROL - a much wider and earlier shutdown of traffic is needed in the area. All present indicated severe problems with traffic control during the September 2004 flooding, which presented a serious safety concern to emergency responders.
Coordinate Fire Police needs with Ottsville, Dublin, Doylestown to bring extra resources.
TOM will contact Penn Dot for barricades. TRAFFIC CONTROL is a MAJOR ISSUE and should be addressed early in the incident.

CANAL - The canals are still very much in disrepair and can not be counted on to sustain much water. The lock at the Indian Rock Inn is broken and this will increase waterflow into the Canal. Additionally canal banks are weak and can not be expected to withstand water incursion.

ROADS & BRIDGES - Many areas of Rt. 611 and 32 are undermined and/or weakened. Repairs from the September floods are incomplete or not started. Responding apparatus may be at risk from collapsing roads and bridges. Note areas of damage now and mark clearly for safety when roads are covered with water.


Preparations

- An evacuation letter is being drafted and will be sent to the group via e-mail. Fire companies should distribute these messages tomorrow, well in advance of the rising water.
- Palisades school is on standby, ready to accommodate any evacuees.
- Red cross will be notified by Nox Command
- Point Pleasant has already started door-to-door notifications.
- Hunterdon County will be doing concurrent notifications
- Nox Command will contact "Duffy" in New Hope for drinking water supply the moment flood waters come up - this will improve lag time for water delivery
- Fuel (Gas, Diesel) may be available from the township buildings in limited amounts
- Water test kids will be requested from county by Tom, will be located @ Nox Twp Building
-- Red Cross Cleanup kills will be located at the Nox Twp Building.
- Squad 142 may stage a unit closer to the flood area (loc TBD)


Operational Protocols

- Operate on Bucks Tac 3
- Report all road closures to Nockamixon Command, which will relay to dispatch.
- Report wide-area power outages to Nox Command
- Maintain accurate lists of occupied dwellings in the risk area
- Notify Nox Command of all needs for resources.

I am impressed with the detail of the planning. Is this from local experience, or is it a plan the state or federal government has as standard procedure?

Thanks for sharing this.

The fact is that NOBODY told us all to get together to do this. There was no federal, state or county mandate. There were no "working comittees" and no administrative overhead. We formed the Palisades Regional Emergency Response Center on the spot, with nothing more than the presence of the people needed.

By the way, we're one day into what will be a week-long event - here's some photos. It's MUCH worse now. I'm on a 8 hour mandatory "stand-down" to rest up for my next 10 hours on, which will start at midnight.

http://www.ubefire.com/images/Flood-05-1/index.html

It is great that people are banning together like that.
Quite a community effort.
Looks pretty bad, I hope it has topped out.
All the best to you and your team(s).

Martin, your flood hit the local 10 o'clock news down here. Hope things don't get much worse for you guys. I'm sure everyone would be interested in your observations during and after the flood.

As Dude would say, "Watch your six" you've only got 1*

J