FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The Department of Water Resources is urging Californians to be proactive about flooding.
During Flood Preparedness Week, the California Department of Water Resources and its partners are sharing the latest information on the state’s flood management efforts and reminding Californians about the impact of climate change in light of recent wildfires and extreme weather events.
Federal, state, and local officials gathered in Santa Barbara, where a deadly post-fire debris flow destroyed property and caused multiple deaths in January 2018.
“This year many communities are at greater risk of flooding because of wildfire damage,” warned Michael Sabbaghian, Chief of the California Department of Water Resources Flood Maintenance Office. “Wildfires burned more than 2,100 square miles in California this year, leaving behind charred hillsides that pose significant risk for flash flooding, mudflows, and debris flows as seen in Santa Barbara earlier this year.”
The winter storm season begins November 1st, and those charred landscapes will be particularly vulnerable to flash flooding and debris flows, this winter.
For more information on mud and debris flows visit https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Flood-Preparedness/Files/2018-Flood-After-Fire-brochure.pdf.
More than 7 million people in California are at risk from flooding, the DWR says many residents don’t realize it.
Flooding can occur from rural communities to urban areas, at the base of hills and along the coast, and every California county has experienced a flood-related emergency in the past 20 years.
Californians are reminded to Be Flood Ready by following these steps:
- Be aware of your risk – Know whether your home is downslope of a burn area. Pay attention to weather forecasts. Listen to local authorities.
- Be prepared – Prepare an evacuation plan. Always have an emergency evacuation kit ready and be prepared to evacuate early. Have a plan for your pets, too. Tips are available at: www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan
- Take action – Don’t wait to evacuate if flooding or a mud flow appears imminent. Don’t walk or drive through flood waters.
Homeowners’ insurance does not cover damage due to flooding so consider purchasing flood insurance: fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program/How-Buy-Flood-Insurance.
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