Who is responsible for responding to ice jam floods?

Basically, the affected community is responsible. However, the Federal Government can, in certain instances, supplement a community's efforts.

Which Federal agency provides this assistance?

The Corps of Engineers has the primary mission for flood control

assistance and when appropriate, calls upon the the resources of the

U.S. Coast Guard in providing this assistance.

What happens following a request?

The Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard make a coordinating

evaluation of the severity of the threat, the effectiveness of possible

ice-breaking assistance, the availability of Coast Guard equipment and the accessibility to the threatened site.

How does a community request Federal assistance for icebreaking?

A request can be initiated by a phone call to either or both agencies, preferably both. Numbers are listed on the back cover of this brochure.

Is each request handled in the order received?

Requests are evaluated immediately upon receipt. However, the priority of responding to requests must be based on possible preventable damages to life and property. Since ice jams present a continuously changing flood threat, these priorities are frequently reevaluated and readjusted as appropriate.

How can a community follow up on the status of its request?

The Corps of Engineers representative who is usually on the scene of each flood situation should be able to provide this status information. If the representative is not available, status verification can be obtained from Corps officials listed on the back cover.

Is icebreaking assistance available only during actual flooding?

Requests can be made in anticipation of flooding, but naturally, do not carry the same priority as an imminent or actual flood situation.

What is the extent of icebreaking assistance?

Assistance is limited to areas having sufficient navigational depth and maneuverability room for U.S. Coast Guard equipment.

How long is the response time?

Response time is dependent on where the equipment is located when the request is made, as well as the existing ice condition of Lake Erie. Generally speaking, a minimum of 24 hours is required.

How effective is federal ice breaking assistance in relieving the flood threat?

Federal assistance is intended to be supplemental to local community efforts. The effectiveness of that assistance is largely dependent on how much effort is put forth by the community. Of course, there are other considerations such as climactic conditions, timeliness of the response and just plain luck; which will affect the success of the joint operations.

Contacts for Federal Ice Breaking Assistance

Corps of Engineers:

Cleveland Office Day/Night

*Troy Collins 216 522-4957 /
716 879-0395(Ans. Svc.)

David Bala 216 522-4957 /
716 879-0395(Ans. Svc.)

Toledo Office

*John McCarthy 419 259-6480 /
716 879-0395(Ans. Svc.)

Arnold Page, Jr. 419 259-6480 /
716 879-0395(Ans. Svc.)

Buffalo District Office

*Gary Shoffstall 716 879-4160 /
716 879-0395(Ans. Svc.)

Phyllis Dudeck 716 879-4454 /
716 879-0395(Ans. Svc.)

Deborah Lewandowski 716 879-4157 / 716 879-0395(Ans. Svc.)

*Primary point of contact

DISTRICT NINE
U.S. COAST GUARD

Coast Guard:

Group Commander - 24 Hours

Detroit Operations 313 568-9524