CONWAY, N.H.— Sheila Warren traveled to Conway, New Hampshire to join members of the New Hampshire Silver Jackets team in unveiling safety signs at the Davis Park recreation area to warn visitors of potential flood hazards. The July 14 unveiling at Davis Park was one of 25 sites across the state to receive the new signs, which were created to warn residents and visitors about the dangers of flooding in recreation areas.
Accompanying Warren were representatives from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the White Mountain National Forest, the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, New Hampshire State Parks, the New Hampshire Office of Planning and Development, New Hampshire Fish and Game and the New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
“This is an exciting and important opportunity to educate the public about the dangers of flash flooding in the rivers,” Warren said. “We encourage folks to engage in all the recreational activities along the beautiful rivers of New Hampshire. The Silver Jackets program has been developed recognizing that everyone has a role in managing flood risk; these signs will increase community members’ ability to anticipate, prepare for, withstand and recover from future flood events.”
According to Conway officials, New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation areas draw thousands of visitors to the state each year, many of whom may not be familiar with local flood risks. Severe storms during the summers of 2023 and 2024 brought extensive rainfall, resulting in emergency evacuations and life-safety warnings.
“When you're out enjoying New Hampshire's beautiful rivers and trails, it’s easy to forget how quickly nature can change,” said Sarah Jamison, a service hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. “Whether you are a paddler, hiker, or camper, these signs serve as a crucial visual reminder to respect the power of moving water and always have an escape plan. Weather awareness truly saves lives.”
Silver Jackets teams are state-led, interagency groups that facilitate collaborative solutions to flood risk priorities. The teams bring together multiple federal, state, local and tribal agencies to share resources and work together to reduce flood risks and enhance disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. Each state or territory sets its own priorities, with member agencies supporting efforts using their own programs and budgets.
Warren joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May 2019 as a project planner and serves as the New England District Silver Jackets coordinator within the Planning Division.
In this role, she meets with the six New England Silver Jackets teams quarterly and serves as the project manager for Floodplain Management Services interagency nonstructural projects. She oversees an annual program budget of more than $500,000.