Actions Completed for Emergency Preparedness:

DWR has worked with local Reclamation Districts, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the state Reclamation Board on levee repair issues.

DWR has added almost 50 sites identified in the January 1997 floods to the telemetry network to improve flood forecasting operations.

DWR conducts flood fighting classes to help equip volunteers, California Conservation Corps, local officials and Reclamation District staff with correct techniques for fighting floods and making emergency repairs to levees. DWR will have trained 900 people as flood fighters by the end of the year. Information includes how to protect homes, protect beach front areas, protect slopes, fill sandbags, elevate homes in flood-prone areas and protect levees.

Actions to be Taken to Prepare for El Niño:

DWR provides river forecasts, in cooperation with the National Weather Service.

DWR is assisting OES in preparing media outreach during the Annual Winter Storm and Flood Preparedness Week.

DWR will train public information officers in October to staff the Flood Operations Center, which is activated in Sacramento during severe storms and high water threats and can function as an interagency 24-hour Emergency Operations Center.

Public Information Contact:

Anita Garcia-Fante
916/653-7431