Dam safety e-mail updatesMay 31 is National Dam Safety Awareness Day!
National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established several years ago to commemorate the devastation that occurred on May 31, 1889, when the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania failed. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of 2,200 people and left thousands homeless. The Johnstown disaster was the worst dam failure before in the history of the United States.
This year’s event is slated to take place on May 31, 2013, with participation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Dam Safety Program and the States of Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Texas (supported by the City of Austin and Lower Colorado River Authority), and Virginia. FEMA is also coordinating with the Association of State Dam Safety Officers (ASDSO) to encourage active participation in this year’s National Dam Safety Awareness Day.
Dam Safety
Dams can fail suddenly, with very little warning. Flooding is the most likely result of a dam failure. Knowing the risk of dam failure ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the risk of serious injury or loss of life.