Area I staged for possible repeat of monsoon flooding

By Franklin FisherJune 13, 2012

Area I staged for possible repeat of monsoon flooding
At Camp Casey June 5, work continues on construction of a retaining wall. The wall and others like it in Area I will help alleviate soil erosion during the summer monsoon season. It's one of numerous flood-mitigation measures being taken in Area I by... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

By Franklin Fisher

franklin.s.fisher2.civ@mail.mil

CAMP RED CLOUD South Korea -- Work crews have finished the set of protective measures needed to get Warrior Country ready for possible summer floods and landslides like those that ravaged Area I last July, officials said this week.

But, they said, heading off one other potential summer weather hazard -- mold and mildew -- rests mainly with individual units, organizations and apartment dwellers.

Korea's torrential monsoon rains typically fall between early June to early September and in some instances turn into destructive typhoons that thrash the peninsula with high winds and heavy rains.

Floods that deluged Area I late last July did an estimated $18 million in damage to three Warrior Country installations that comprise the Casey enclave: Camp Casey, Camp Hovey and Camp Mobile.

The floods surged into barracks, offices and storage areas, triggered landslides, ripped away road beds, upset training areas, choked drainage systems with debris, and engulfed an outdoor swimming pool in four feet of mud.

But in the months since, Area I officials and works crews have repaired the damage and have taken steps to cushion any adverse effects of Korea's monsoon rains and typhoons, said Bill Clarke, building and structures chief with the U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud's Directorate of Public Works.

The garrison, Clarke said, has:

• Identified potential landslide areas and installed landslide barrier systems to protect people and property.

• Stockpiled sandbags at key locations on Area I installations to help prevent property damage from flooding and other rough weather.

• Begun upgrades to the garrison's sewer and drainage systems.

• Hired a contractor to reinforce the dam next to the Camp Casey golf course, a move that will help prevent erosion and minimize future storm damage.

And the garrison has made improvements to its destructive weather plan, "based on lessons learned, to prepare [for], mitigate and react to monsoon conditions," Clarke said.

In addition, they have cleared all debris from the garrison creek system at Camp Casey and Camp Hovey, to allow water to flow fully.

And workers have repaired all flood-damaged crossing points along the creek system.

In helping combat mold and mildew, Clarke said, the garrison relies on units and others in the community to take the usual preventive steps, but also to alert DPW quickly if a problem is found.

"We depend on the units to keep us informed," said Clarke. "The earlier we're informed allows us to keep it as an inexpensive repair instead of an expensive repair, a $100 repair as opposed to a $1,000 repair."

In the event of an emergency, the community will be told what to do through AFN radio and television, the USAG Red Cloud website and Facebook page, and the chain-of-command.

Flood Preparations

Before a Flood

Keep alert for signs of heavy rain.

Know where high ground is located and how to get there quickly.

Plan an evacuation route.

Have emergency supplies (batteries, portable radio, food and water).

If in a residence, fill the bathtubs, sinks and jugs with clean water.

If living off base, know where the evacuation assembly areas are on the nearest installation.

During a Flood

Listen and watch for weather bulletins on AFN radio and television, and on U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud Facebook.

If outside, move to high ground immediately.

Don't cross flooded streams.

If your vehicle stalls during a stream crossing abandon it and move to higher ground.

If in a residence, turn off the electricity and gas.

Have emergency supplies, clothing and critical documents prepared.

If instructed to evacuate, do so quickly to high ground and, if possible, to the nearest installation.