SACRAMENTO – Ahead of significant storm impacts, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is working alongside local emergency managers throughout the state to prepare first responders and residents for what is expected to be life threatening weather conditions.
With heavy rainfall and high wind expected, leading to widespread flooding, downed trees and power lines, and an elevated chance of debris flow/mudslides, Governor Gavin Newsom has directed the State Operations Center to coordinate a unified response to these storms across state, local and federal agencies to keep Californians safe.
CAL OES WORKS ALONGSIDE LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGERS:
Cal OES personnel are embedded in counties throughout the state to coordinate the whole-of-government response to potential impacts to the upcoming storms.
Cal OES personnel work in local government Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) alongside local government emergency managers to coordinate the request of state-government resources. And provide information to the California State Operations Center which is collected, analyzed, verified, and released to emergency mangers throughout the state to maintain a cohesive operational picture.
These positions are critical to ensuring a fast and effective whole-of-government response and to ensure the necessary personnel and equipment get to the right place at the right time to save lives.
Currently, the State Operations Center is in coordination with 23 Local Government EOCs activated statewide and has coordinated the delivery of over 2 million sandbags to 55 local government locations statewide to be available for use by residents at sandbag locations to prepare for flooding.
Taking proactive steps to keep Californians safe as these storms impact the state, Cal OES has prepositioned fire and rescue personnel and equipment in more than a dozen counties.
Deployed through the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, these resources help supplement local government response to storm impacts.
THE FORECAST:
According to the National Weather Service, an atmospheric river will move into California starting late Saturday, February 3, 2024 and continues through Tuesday and possibly into Wednesday. Heavy rainfall is possible nearly statewide, but the heaviest rainfall will be on coastal central to southern California.
Significant flooding is becoming increasingly likely, including the potential for flooding on roadways, creek and main stem river flooding, mud/rockslides, and debris flows.
Additional heavy mountain snowfall is expected across virtually the entire state, with snow levels on Sunday starting as low as 2,500-4,500 feet across northern California and 5,000-6,000 feet in southern California.
Multiple feet of new snow accumulation are likely in several mountain ranges, and extremely difficult mountain travel conditions are expected.
Periods of strong, gusty winds will likely lead to outdoor property damage, tree damage, and power outages.
GET YOUR INFORMATION FROM TRUSTED SOURCES:
During a life-threatening disaster, it’s critical to have accurate information. Poorly sourced information, rumors, or bad actors can lead to false information circulating on social media and less-then-reputable websites. Obtaining accurate and timely information can be the difference between life and death for yourself and your loved ones during a dangerous disaster.
Only take information from official or verified state and local government or emergency management websites and social media accounts. Local news outlets and reputable meteorologist are also a good source of information including weather impacts and evacuation information.
Be skeptical of posts from unknown sources on social platforms or from online ‘experts’ without credentials. Verify all information through an official and trusted source. And be skeptical of extreme or exaggerated claims.
Additional Resources
- Storm Season Safety Guide: the state is sharing multilingual resources, deploying a network of community-based organizations through the Listos California campaign, and highlighting other work underway to protect at-risk communities this rainy season.
- Prepare Yourself through Texts: Californians can sign up for a 5-lesson text message course through Listos California on what to do before, during and after floods, high winds, debris flows and other storm impacts. This course is available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Punjabi. Text “CAWINTER” to 20202 via SMS to sign up.
- Visit National Weather Service for current weather patterns in your area.