Flood prevention is something we don’t always think about. We never expect the worst, but we all know that Mother Nature doesn’t always prescribe to our expectations. Whether we’re thinking about it or not, flooding is a serious threat to a large portion of Americans across the country, and it’s no different here in the Town of Pulaski. Peak Creek may seem like a gentle stream, but don’t let her looks deceive you. Just take a look at this video of flooding from last October; the historic Peak Creek walls were barely high enough to contain the water during what was a very scary time for public safety officials and Town citizens. The Town recognizes the need for preventative measures that are both proactive and reactive, depending on the situation.

That’s where the Silver Jackets come in. The Silver Jackets is a group collaboration between numerous government agencies, local officials and supporting organizations. In Pulaski, Friends of Peak Creek and Town officials are members of the group, alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other government entities. Their goal is to facilitate collaboration, share information, and leverage resources to identify and implement solutions to reduce flood hazards. Active since 2010, the group has a presence all across our state, working to implement those flood procedures in multiple localities.

At the meeting scheduled to take place next Wednesday at 6 p.m., stakeholders will be briefed on what the Silver Jackets call the ‘VA Interagency Nonstructural Flood Risk Management Assessment Project. The project will involve the conducting of a flood risk assessment to increase public awareness of flood threats, promote collaboration within the community, improve flood resiliency, strengthen community preparedness, and help reduce future risk. Since the meeting is open to the public, anyone is welcome to attend and voice their own questions or concerns regarding flooding within the Town of Pulaski. The meeting will be held in the historic Pulaski Train Station, so there will be ample space for citizens to make use of if you wish to attend. Multiple local and state officials will be on hand to answer your questions, so this is a great opportunity to stay informed on the topic of flooding. We look forward to the meeting, and we hope to see you there!