Damages and loss of lives due to natural disasters, particularly flooding, is on the rise. The number of reported flood events has increased from ~ 250 per decade in the 1970s to more than 1,700 during the first decade of the 21 Century. All indications are that this trend will continue.

Managing flood risks is a complex endeavor. Determining flood risks at any given location entails evaluating how high waters might rise as well as the vulnerability of people and assets in a flood's pathway. Assessing a communities' resiliency to return to pre-flood conditions must also be considered. Local governments, households, and businesses are key decision-makers regarding choices that affect flood risk and should be involved in planning processes.

Join Steve Stockton as he explores the key principles in managing flood risks, including a new set of operating principles established by the agencies involved in the Hurricane Sandy Recovery.

The lecture will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.

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Steven L. Stockton serves as the Director of Civil Works, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C. In this position he shares the responsibilities of the Deputy Commanding General, Civil and Emergency Operations, under the policy guidance of the Chief of Engineers and the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), for managing and directing the policy development, programming, planning, design, construction, emergency response, operation and maintenance activities of the Army Civil Works Program, a $5 billion annual program of water and related land resources of the United States.