June 7, 2011 - Assistant Fire Chief Dan Stolinski updated local media outlets on flood response activities within the Omaha Metro Area at a 10:30 a.m. press briefing. Between today and Friday night, the Army Corps of Engineers have informed Unified Command that the river is expected to rise approximately 2 feet. Additionally, the river depth is estimated to deepen 8 to 10 inches until it hits 33 feet around June 12th.
Assistant Chief Stolinski also spoke about the berm construction taking place at the Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Facility. The existing levee is currently being reinforced by a berm which will extend flood protection around this South Omaha wastewater facility. The berm - which will extend the length of approximately seven football fields - is expected to be completed by Wednesday, June 8th.
Unified Command is also currently monitoring three other things: access to Omaha’s Eppley Airport via Abbott Drive, the structural security of the city’s levee, and monitoring potential water table increases on the dry side of the levee. Monitoring of the levee’s condition and water table levels are not in response to specific concerns at this time. Rather, the examinations are due to Unified Command’s determination to be proactive, not reactive in their response to the rising Missouri River.
