News Release Manager

MEDIA ALERT: DeSoto County, Corps of Engineers to sign flood risk management study agreement

Published Sept. 20, 2018

Who: DeSoto County Board of Supervisors (Chairman Mark Gardner, District 2 Supervisor) and Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (District Commander Col. Mike Ellicott) 

Members of the DeSoto Board of Supervisors, Sen. Hyde-Smith, Sen. Wicker, Rep. Kelly, municipal mayors from DeSoto County, and other county officials are also expected to attend. 

What: Cost Sharing Agreement to begin Flood Risk Management Study in DeSoto County. 

When: Friday, Sept. 21, 2018 at 2 p.m.  

Where: DeSoto County Administration Building, Board Room on 3rd floor, 365 Losher St., Hernando, Mississippi 

Why: Areas in DeSoto County are experiencing frequent and damaging floods. These events pose life, safety and health risks for residents and threaten homes, schools and businesses. 

Residents experienced flooding in May 2010, May 2011, September 2014, and March 2016. The area received a Presidential Disaster Declaration in 2011. Flooding in September 2014 prompted a State of Emergency declaration. The U.S. Coast Guard responded to evacuate trapped residents, and the U.S. Small Business Administration provided federal assistance afterwards. Floods in March 2016 made it necessary to close some roads, schools, and businesses. 

This study will identify ways to reduce damages from flooding, minimize road closures associated with large rain storms (especially those roadways critical for emergency access), decrease damages to wetlands and streams, and incorporate appropriate features like hiking and biking trails to complement and enhance recreation. 

DeSoto County is the local sponsor for this cost-share agreement.

 

 


Contact
Jim Pogue
901-544-4109
901-828-0152 (cell)
james.t.pogue@usace.army.mil

Release no. 18-052