Category: Flood Resiliency

The final reports for the West End and Fishing Creek Flood Mitigation Studies are now posted online.

With the support of Representative Millard and Senator Gordner, funding was secured for these pioneering studies. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners, working with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), engaged Borton-Lawson to develop the West End Flood Mitigation Study and Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) to develop the Fishing Creek Flood Mitigation Study. The goals of the studies were to:

• detect flooding problem areas within the County’s 18 municipalities/West End of the Town of Bloomsburg,

• identify best approaches that can be implemented by the County to mitigate flood impacts, reduce flood risk and improve residents’ quality of life,

• highlight mitigation options for the problems identified and implementable projects offered as a solution to those problems.

Both final reports can be found on the County’s Resiliency Office website, http://columbiapa.org/resiliency/index.php  and also on SEDA-COG’s website, https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/columbia-county-flood-mitigation-studies/ . The Columbia County Board of Commissioners have already begun the next steps and will continue to implement resiliency measures as a result of the studies.

The study kicked off with a combined public meeting in July 2021, two separate follow up public meetings held at the end of November and beginning of December 2021, and final meetings held in March 2022. Presentation slides and other materials can also be found at the website links above.

SEDA-COG assisted Columbia County in the grant administration of the studies. The studies were financed by grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

The Borough of Lewisburg is seeking proposals from firms that wish to provide consulting services to undertake a Borough-wide flood mitigation study to improve the Borough’s ability to withstand a flooding event, minimize damages, and recover rapidly. This project has been financed in part by a Strategic Management Planning Program Grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Borough is working in cooperation with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to solicit Professional Service Providers to undertake the study. The Request for Proposals (RFP) describes the project, the anticipated scope of services, the required consultant expertise and experience, and the information that must be included in the proposal. Failure to submit information in accordance with the RFP requirements and procedures may be cause for disqualification.

Required proposal format details may be obtained by contacting SEDA-COG’s Geralee Zeigler, Program Analyst, at gslotterback@seda-cog.org.

Proposal details are also available at https://seda-cog.org/request-for-proposals/

The Borough of Lewisburg will evaluate written proposals on the basis of thoroughness, completeness, content, experience, and capacity. The Borough and/or its Agent may conduct interviews with the top ranked proposers.

“Floods have always been a part of life here in Lewisburg. In order to sustain the health and well-being of our citizens for years to come, we have to be proactive in mitigating potential flood damage. This an opportunity for us to learn more about how to protect our homes, our residents, and the community we all love,” said Steven Beattie, Lewisburg Borough’s Community Development and Grant Manager.

Proposals will be accepted until 11:00 AM prevailing time on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Proposals shall be on the forms required, sealed and clearly marked on the outside, “Consulting Services Proposal – Flood Mitigation Study”, and submitted to Mr. Steven Beattie, Lewisburg Borough, 55 South Fifth Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

Proposals that are faxed or e-mailed cannot be accepted.

SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency Program offers services related to flood resiliency and mitigation assistance both within and outside of its 11-county region. Its goal is to help break the damage cycle and stop its drain on people and communities. For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/

For more information, please contact Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7249 or estauder@seda-cog.org

On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, from 9-10 a.m., SEDA-COG and the American Red Cross are partnering to host an Emergency Action Plan training session, light refreshments will be served. This event will be held at the Central PA Chamber of Commerce, 30 Lawton Lane Milton, PA 17847. Registration is required for this event. The link to register for this event can be found here: https://seda-cog.org/events/event/emergency-action-plan-training/

During the pandemic, it was discovered that 40 percent of businesses fail following a disaster. With the use of ReadyRating.org, this training will provide the tools for non-profits, businesses of all sizes, and more to become equipped to face any kind of emergencies.

This in-person workshop delivers the means and the contacts for businesses to work at their own pace to upgrade their level of preparedness. There are tools to enhance already existing emergency plans and to build plans from scratch.

“It’s important to prepare for possible emergencies because they can strike suddenly at any time and any place. There are three steps everyone can take that can help make a difference: be prepared, get connected, and take action,” states the Emergency Preparedness Guide from the American Red Cross.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

For more information, please contact Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7249 or estauder@seda-cog.org

In recognition of Pennsylvania’s Flood Safety Awareness Week starting on March 21st, Lewisburg Borough and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) are raising awareness of the dangers of flooding and the resources available to help borough residents prepare.

Lewisburg Borough Manager William Lowthert said it is crucial to know what to do before, during, and after a flood.

“Lewisburg Borough is located in 3 watersheds, making flooding our top natural disaster concern in the Borough. Our residents and property owners can improve their resiliency by preparing in advance. Understanding your individual situation and what will happen to your property is important in order to prepare for the next flood event and recover afterwards. We encourage residents to be proactive,” Lowthert said.

In high-risk areas, there is a one-in-four chance of experiencing a flood over the life of a 30-year mortgage and residents should consider purchasing flood insurance.
Safety tips to prepare for flooding include making a plan, building a go kit of supplies, knowing the types of flood risk in the borough (both river and stream flooding), signing up for emergency alerts, practicing evacuation routes and shelter plans, buying flood insurance, keeping important documents in a waterproof container, and proactively protecting property. More information about flood safety and preparedness can be found at www.ready.gov/flood.

SEDA-COG will publicize more safety tips the week of March 21st on its social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The borough contracts with SEDA-COG to provide professional and administrative services for the Community Rating System (CRS), which gives its residents a 10% flood insurance premium discount for all properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area, and a 5% discount for all other properties. If residents’ properties are not mapped as that area, they still may qualify for a lower-cost preferred risk policy.

For more information about flood hazards, flood protection, or for a site inspection, residents may contact Lewisburg Borough at 570-523-3614 or office@lewisburgborough.org or SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency Program at 570-524-4491 ext. 7218.

Pennsylvania’s Flood Safety Awareness Week is held the fourth full week in March each year.

SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency Program offers services related to flood resiliency and mitigation assistance both within and outside of its 11-county region. Its goal is to help break the damage cycle and stop its drain on people and communities. For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/

For more information, please contact Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7249 or estauder@seda-cog.org