U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Congressmen Dave
Reichert and Adam Smith have called on the Departments of Commerce and
Interior to provide critical weather forecasting and river monitoring
resources from the National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological
Survey to address the flood threat posed by structural damage to the
Howard Hanson Dam, in a letter sent yesterday afternoon.
The representatives urged Commerce Secretary Gary Locke
and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to provide additional resources that
may improve the accuracy of weather models and provide better data to
local officials and the Corps as they work to minimize the threat of
flooding.
“This is about utilizing all available tools in order to
take every possible precaution,” said Senator Murray. “This additional
monitoring equipment can play an important role in providing the early
and accurate warnings we’ll need to best protect homes, businesses, and
residents in the event of a flood in the Green River Valley.”
“Washington State experiences some of the worst weather in
the nation, yet it has the worst weather radar coverage of any U.S.
coastline,” said Cantwell. “While I have been able to secure funding for
a new Doppler Radar on the Washington Coast the additional tools we are
requesting today could help Army Corps of Engineers better manage water
flows on the Green River valley. Given that homes, businesses, and
communities are at stake, we need to do everything possible to help deal
with this winter’s storm season.
“Flood season is rapidly approaching, and the Corps needs
every possible tool at its disposal to avert disaster,” Reichert said.
“We are all working together to protect our citizens and their property,
and having the most advanced radar systems, precipitation gauges, and
technologically advanced infrastructure possible will assist us in
mitigating a flood event that could wreak havoc throughout our region.”
“In the event of a flood, it is vitally important that we
make decisive, data driven decisions to mobilize our resources in the
most effective and timely way possible,” said Smith. “In order to do
this, we must have the most accurate and up-to-date information at our
disposal. These additional tools will help provide that information and
allow authorities to make more informed decisions and better coordinate
their efforts to prevent and mitigate flooding damage.”
Specifically, the representatives requested the following:
• Additional Gauges With Telemetry – That the U.S.
Geological Survey install additional precipitation gauges and gauges to
measure flows into the Howard Hanson Dam in order to assist the Corps in
deciding when and how much water to release;
• Relocations of Mobile Doppler Weather Radar Systems –
That the National Weather Service relocate the Experimental Atmospheric
River System (ARO) to Washington State this fall to enhance weather
forecasting capabilities that inform Corps decisions about operations at
the Howard Hanson Dam; and,
• Modeling and Computer Programming Staff and Technology –
Additional staffing resources and technology would be beneficial in the
event of a storm at regional National Weather Service and Northwest
River Forecasting Center to update and fine tune forecasting models for
the Green River Basin. The representatives have requested these agencies
shift additional resources to the Northwest this fall to assist the
Corps in making critical operational decisions related to the dam.
Additionally, a meeting was requested with the respective
agencies within Commerce and Interior departments to discuss these items
and any additional resources that may be available.
– Kent Reporter
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