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<br /> 1 <br /> JONES Eric R <br /> From: BROWN Dawn A <br /> Tq: CMS Mail (EUG006) <br /> Swbject: Flood wrap-up <br /> Dente: Thursday, February 15, 1996 2:35PM <br /> Frpm: WEILER Phil J <br /> Subject: Flood wrap-up <br /> Date: Thursday, February 15, 1996 8:22AM <br /> EUGENE ESCAPES SERIOUS DAMAGE DURING LAST WEEK'S FLOOD <br /> Lgng-term investments in drainage infrastructure combined with the US Army Corps of Engineers flood <br /> cgntrol facilities resulted in the City of Eugene weathering last week's flooding relatively unscathed. <br /> TIAe Corps of Engineers closed the flood gates on all of their dams on the tributaries of the Willamette River <br /> or}ce the flooding began. This resulted in the Willamette River water level through Eugene actually being <br /> 1olwer during this flood than it has been at other times this year; specifically when the dike system near <br /> Dexter was failing. <br /> Even with the Federal facilities, Eugene still had plenty of flood waters to deal with. The city received <br /> nearly nine inches of rain in less than a week. In fact, a total of 5.62 inches of rain fell between noon on <br /> February 6 and noon on February 7. This huge volume of precipitation resulted in only minor localized <br /> flooding thanks to a highly effective stormwater drainage system. <br /> UlGtimately, the greatest area of concern for City crews during the storm was with the wastewater <br /> collections system. Wastewater had to be discharged directly into the Willamette River without treatment <br /> in'four locations due to the heavy rains. No public health threats were associated with the overflows, <br /> hgwever. The wastewater was significantly diluted by the unusually high volume of water in the river. <br /> Ounce it became clear that Eugene was going to be able to adequately handle its localized flooding and <br /> wastewater problems, calls were made to surrounding jurisdictions offering assistance. The Public Works <br /> Department contacted the City of Springfield and Lane County to offer personnel and supplies. The <br /> Department of Public Safety had an ambulance on stand-by to make runs if necessary into sections of <br /> B nton County that had been cut off by rising flood waters. Two water rescue teams were dispatched to <br /> ai¢i Lane County emergency personnel. Eugene's public safety assistance was coordinated by Deputy Fire <br /> Cthief Paul Dammen who represented Eugene in Lane County's Emergency Operations Center. Eugene staff <br /> al~o provided all the emergency call-taking and dispatch services for the area in the regional 9-1-1 center. <br /> President Bill Clinton was in Oregon yesterday to survey the flood damage in the state. Fortunately, he did <br /> nqt need to visit Eugene. A combination of significant preparedness and local cooperation enabled the City <br /> ofl Eugene to take the floods of 1996 in stride. <br /> Page 1 <br /> <br />