<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usag-yongsan/3532389826/" title="Monsoon season to bring heavy rains by usag.yongsan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/3532389826_13672d61da_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" hspace="10" align="right" alt="Monsoon season to bring heavy rains to Korea" /></a><strong>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</strong> - Garrison officials are increasing awareness of the monsoon season, a rainy season in Asia when heavy rains and strong winds can cause a severe impact on Army installations in Korea.

The monsoon season typically begins in June and can last as long as two months, but intense rainfall occurs in July and August when heavy rains account for more than 50 percent of Korea's annual rainfall.

This potentially destructive weather damaged areas around the Yongsan Bowling Center in 2002, causing garrison facilities a loss of millions of dollars.

"In Korea, it is possible to have more than 20 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period," said Keith Pruitt, U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Directorate of Plans, Transportation, Mobilization, and Security plans and operations officer.

"We will be on Flood Condition 1 from June on," Pruitt said. "Flood Condition 1 basically means that the garrison has conducted all the necessary risk assessment, prepositioned sand bags and alerted units to take precaution."
A major spring clean up is scheduled to take place in mid-May to help prepare for the monsoon season. Soldiers will pick up trash to prevent debris from clogging the drainage systems.

"Most of the rain will come in July and August," Pruitt said. "But I'd encourage community members to always be wary of the possibility of a flood."

If the situation warrants, the garrison may go to FLOODCON 2 or FLOODCON 3. If this happens, certain destructive weather mitigation procedure may be activated.

During FLOODCON 3, a condition in which the drainage system starts to back up, community members may have to be relocated to safer areas. Installation and community activities may be limited or stopped, roads may be closed and military and civilian work stoppages could be expected.

For more questions related to monsoons in Korea, call the USAG-Yongsan DPTMS at 738-7316 during duty-hours and 738-7404 or 738-7405 during off-duty hours.

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<H1>Flood Conditions</h1>

<strong>FLOODCON 1</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;"><li>Commanders at all levels conduct risk assessments of training areas and installations
<li>Commanders ID and preposition resources, plan recovery efforts, integrate into response plans
<li>Alert roster updated and validated
<li>Commanders ensure Servicemembers receive seasonal training on hazards and appropriate responses to monsoonal weather conditions
<li>Identify and order high use supplies for the monsoon season
<li>Identify staging areas for sandbags in flood prone areas
<li>Inspect facilities and barracks for seasonal readiness
</ul>
<strong>FLOODCON 2</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;"><li> Activate the USAG-Y IOC (minimal staff)
<li> Identify and prepare vulnerable areas.
<li> Designate QRF teams and monitor sectors
<li> Identify and notify units on training ranges
<li> Order cease movement for non-essential travel
<li> Put warnings on AFN radio and television
</ul>

<strong>FLOODCON 3</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;"><li> Activate the Area II IOC (full staff)
<li> Evacuate buildings in danger of flooding or landslides
<li> Provide forces for flood mitigation efforts
<li> Position water in unit areas
<li> Move family members to safe areas
</ul>