State to fund flood response plan

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security wants Portland to plan its response to the next flood while the sun is still shining.
Local officials are working with engineering firms and the Army Corps of Engineers to find ways to reduce the threat of flooding in Portland.
But Mayor Randy Geesaman learned Friday the city is one of 20 flood-prone communities targeted for help in developing response plans when and if another flood occurs.
Portland has received a planning grant to develop a Flood Response Plan working with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, an experienced flood risk management firm.
“There is no cost to you for development of this plan,” Mary Moran, IDHS Recovery Director, told Geesaman in a letter.
The focus of a Flood Response Plan isn’t flood mitigation but making sure that emergency officials respond effectively in the event of a flood.
Such a plan outlines roles and responsibilities of officials and departments and emphasizes coordination and communication.
“With every major flood, there comes an overwhelming level of activity and a need for quick information and response,” IDHS documents say. “Communities need to prepare and have a good plan for early warning, response, and recovery before, during, and after a flood event. … A good plan helps prevent duplication of effort and wasted resources.”
Two information-gathering meetings and a table-top exercise will be involved.
Funding for the grant comes from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and stems from an initiative by the Indiana Silver Jackets, a team that includes federal and state agencies.