Public Safety Director's Spotlight: Flood Safety Awareness

A number of fun, informative and exciting events are scheduled for this weekend in St. Louis, but before I highlight several of them I want to make you aware of the fact that this week (March 14-18) is Flood Safety Awareness Week. Every year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sets aside a week in March to stress the dangers associated with floods and to encourage people to learn what can be done to save lives and property.

According to NOAA officials, flooding is our country's number one natural disaster. You don't need to live in a mapped floodplain to need flood insurance. More than 20% of all flood insurance claims are filed in low- to moderate- flood-risk areas. Further, many eligible residents are unaware that they qualify for flood insurance and that affordable flood insurance is available.

Nation-wide, the average flood insurance policy costs around $570 a year. In low- to moderate-risk areas, Preferred Risk Policies can be as low as $129 a year. To learn more, visit http://www.FloodSmart.gov/ or call 1-800-427-2419.

Below are some of the events coming up in St. Louis. I encourage you to stop by and take advantage of all that our great City neighborhoods have to offer. See you in the neighborhood!

Botanical Grove Development Groundbreaking

The groundbreaking ceremony for this exciting new project in the 4200 block of McRee at Tower Grove Avenue in the Botanical Heights neighborhood will take place Friday, March 18 at 4:30 p.m. Along with 31 new and renovated single family homes, surrounding development also will feature a corner café and a new home for City Garden Montessori Charter School into a renovated building on Tower Grove Avenue. Unique to this development is the incorporation of many green features to complement the LEED Certified homes. For more information on this project, visit http://www.botanicalheightshomes.com .

Fish Fry Season Is In Full Swing

One of the great neighborhood events that make St. Louis such a wonderful place to live is the local Friday Night Fish Fry during Lent at various churches. Stopping by the Fish Fry at your neighborhood church is an ideal way to meet fellow members of the community and experience some outstanding fried fish and side dishes! Bon appetit!

DelorBridge to be Demolished

In follow up to recent news stories, just a reminder that MoDOT closed the Delor Bridge over Interstate 55 this week. There will be a full closure of I-55 from Carondelet to Broadway starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 18 and reopening by 5 a.m. on Monday, March 21 to allow the contractor to safely remove Delor Bridge. Motorists may use the following detour while this section of highway is closed:

• Southbound I-55 – Exit at Broadway and turn left. Turn right on River City Casino Blvd. Continue to Carondelet Avenue and follow to I-55.
• Northbound I-55 – Exit at Carondelet and turn right. Continue on River City Casino Blvd. Turn left on Broadway and follow to I-55.

The Delor Bridge is expected to reopen in early October 2011.

St. LouisMuseum Stores Garage Sale

Do you enjoy shopping for unique gifts at museum gift shops such as the ones at Campbell House, Eugene Field House, St. Louis Art Museum and Zoo for example? If so, then you need to know the St. Louis Museum Stores Garage Sale is this Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Living World at the St. Louis Zoo in scenic Forest Park. All sale items are new and include souvenirs, clothing, artwork, books, toys and more. Shoppers should arrive early for the best selection. For more information call (314) 781-0900 or click http://www.stlzoo.org/ . Happy bargain hunting!

Are You All Ready?

Last week I reported that the St. Louis Regional Disaster Preparedness Public Awareness Campaign is off and running! I trust you received your "correction" e-mail last Friday with the working link to the website. However, I'm also including it again this week because it is an important link to have. The All Ready? initiative is encouraging all residents of the St. Louis region to be prepared for any emergency by 1) making a plan, 2) having an emergency kit, and 3) being informed. For more information about the campaign, visit http://www.allreadystl.com .

NIXLE

The Department of Public Safety's City Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) provides free emergency alert service through Nixle (http://www.Nixle.com/) . When you register for the service, you will receive our informative and timely text messages on your cell phone and/or as e-mails on your computer. Visit the Nixle website and sign up for the free service today. If you have any comments about the service, please let me know.

Will you be having an event in your neighborhood that we can support? If so, either e-mail the information about it to me at brysonc@stlouiscity.com or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouiscity.com .

And remember, if you see something in the neighborhood that just doesn't look right, REPORT IT!

Charles Bryson

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis