California approaches another winter uncertain about what Mother Nature has in store for our drought-stricken state. One thing we are certain about here at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is that we all need to be ready for whatever she sends our way.
Let us not forget that heavy rain fell during December of 2014 causing widespread damage and causing the governor to declare a state of emergency in four counties; and we were in the middle of our current drought.
Below is an excerpt from an OES News story published then, along with a video produced about the flooding in Glenn County.
Originally Published on December 11, 2014
Weather officials say this is one of the strongest storms in years in terms of wind and rain intensity. Several parts of California could see more than six inches of rain and wind gusts above 60 mph.
Emergency managers have been proactively preparing for this powerful storm by monitoring its path, communicating with the National Weather Service, and asking residents to take simple steps to ready their businesses and homes for inclement weather.
“We have been lucky to have a few days of warning as the storm approaches, something that we don’t typically get in other disasters,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “This has given us a chance to take steps to minimize potentially disastrous impacts of this storm.”
Cal OES is working with local jurisdictions to identify problems or damages as soon as possible and are coordinating the response of state resources as needed. This storm could cause flooding, debris slides, power outages, fallen trees or strand travelers during especially high winds and heavy downpours. The Cal OES Business and Utilities Operations Center is also working with private industry partners to monitor resource demands. Additionally, all three Cal OES Regional Emergency Operation Centers (Inland, Coastal, Southern) were activated in support of local EOCs.
“It’s very important that all Californians take this storm seriously and take simple storm preparedness steps, such as reviewing individual and household disaster plans and creating a disaster readiness kit,” said Ghilarducci. “Be sure to listen to your local TV or radio station for the latest condition updates, be attentive to warnings and avoid any unnecessary driving in areas prone to flooding.”
For more information about this event, and emergency preparedness, please visit http://www.caloes.ca.gov.
To get the latest active weather warning, watches and advisories visit:
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sto/brief/wwa_bc_cal.php