National Dam Safety Awareness Day Information and Resources

May 31 is National Dam Safety Awareness Day, a day chosen to commemorate the 1889 failure of a dam near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, which resulted in a devastating flood that claimed the lives of more than 2,200 people and caused incredible property destruction. But as FEMA reminds us, dam failures aren’t just for the history books, with two major dam failures last year that put lives and property at risk and forced large-scale evacuations. FEMA also notes there are more than 90,000 dams in the U.S., with approximately one-third of these posing a “high” or “significant” hazard to life and property if failure occurs. As part of National Dam Safety Awareness Day, FEMA asks dam owners across to help promote dam safety and raise awareness. It has prepared template materials and background information to assist these efforts. Read more and access the materials at FEMA.