Media Advisory
March 9, 2006
Clarice Nassif Ransom 703-648-5645
cransom@xxxxxxxx
Judy Salvo 703-648-4299
jsalvo@xxxxxxxx
How Science Can Help Reduce America’s Risk from Floods
--USGS to Host Congressional Briefing--
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.
To receive USGS news releases go to
http://www.usgs.gov/public/list_server.html to subscribe.
* * *www.usgs.gov* * *
