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Flood signs to serve as visual landmarks in Tioga County, N.Y.
Published: December 5, 2009
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share thisHave you seen some new signs in public places along the Susquehanna River in Tioga County? As a result of the 2006 flood, the Tioga County Emergency Management Office applied for and received Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to focus on educating the public about flooding.
The Tioga County Flood Mitigation Group implemented the grant and as part of it, intended to create and install community visual landmarks that could be easily seen during a flood to provide a clear and consistent reference mark. Over the course of the grant period in 2009, the landmark idea evolved into the community flood hazard signs that can be seen today. The signs consist of a standard yet customized yellow warning sign, supplemented by blue and red elevation markers. The blue markers denote the level of the 2006 flood as determined by existing marks and recordings. The red markers depict the 100-year base flood elevation as determined by FEMA flood maps. The Tioga County Highway Department installed the signs, while the Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District determined the correct elevations to place the 100-year flood markers.
While these signs will continually provide general information to nearby residents about the levels of the 100-year and 2006 floods, it is hoped they will also be utilized during a flood, along with other on-line resources, to determine evacuation plans related to rising water levels.
The specific sign locations include Barton Park in the Town of Barton, Kirby Park in the Village of Nichols, Ransom Park in the Town of Tioga, Hickories Park in the Town of Owego, Fishing Access off Water Street in the Village of Owego, the Village of Owego wastewater treatment plan, the Apalachin wastewater treatment plant, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Youth Building in the Tioga County Fairgrounds, and the Fishing Access on East River Road in the Town of Nichols.
If you have questions regarding these signs, please contact Richard LeCount, Tioga CountyÕs Emergency Management Officer at (607) 687-2023.
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