What you need to know: As California enters the peak of the winter storm season, Governor Gavin Newsom is expanding on a coordinated, statewide readiness effort, including Cal OES pre-deploying swiftwater and debris flow resources in nine counties to protect communities from potential flooding, debris flows, and other storm-related hazards.
SACRAMENTO – As strong storms impact all of California over the next week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced continued pre-positioning of emergency response resources in nine counties to support local jurisdictions. Pre-deployments will last until the evening of Friday, Dec. 26.
“When severe weather threatens our communities, we don’t wait to react. We get ahead of it. California’s highly trained and skilled personnel are essential elements of the state’s emergency rescue and response system.” – Governor Gavin Newsom
Coordinated by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), pre-deployment efforts ensure that resources are ready to respond quickly, minimizing the potential impact of mud and debris flows and potential flash flooding, especially in areas that have burned in recent wildfires.
The pre-deployed resources to El Dorado, Orange, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Colusa, Glenn, Plumas, and Nevada counties include 33 fire engines, three swiftwater rescue teams, two loaders, two dozers, two hand crews, one helicopter, one incident management team, and over 150 personnel so far.
This pre-deployment builds upon state actions announced Friday, Dec. 19, including the pre-position of millions of sandbags and super-sacks, plus personnel and equipment throughout the state by Department of Water Resources, CAL FIRE, and Caltrans.
Local fire agencies identify when conditions in communities may require additional resources and submit requests to the state for support. The staging locations and response assignments are coordinated by local officials. The California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System remains available for local officials to request additional resources during an incident if necessary.
Stay vigilant
- Visit the administration’s Storm Season Safety resource, designed as a single location featuring tips and best practices in all conditions.
- Visit Listos California’s Storm Season Safety resource page for winter weather preparedness materials in over 15 languages.
- Sign up for local emergency alerts at Ready.ca.gov
- Monitor the news and other trusted sources of information to stay aware of mudslides and debris flows, especially in burn scar areas.
- Prepare an emergency go-bag with essential supplies, water, medication, and important documents. Find a full checklist here.
- Stay off the roads whenever possible. If travel is unavoidable, check real-time conditions and drive at reduced speeds, avoiding standing water or debris on the roadway.
- Never walk or drive through floodwaters—turn around, don’t drown. Even six inches of moving water can sweep a person off their feet, and as little as one foot can carry a vehicle away.
- Avoid parking under trees or power lines during high winds or heavy rain, as saturated soil can cause trees to uproot or fall unexpectedly.
- If you see a downed power line, always assume it is energized—stay back at least 30 feet and call 9-1-1 or your utility provider.
- Check on neighbors, especially older adults or those with disabilities or access and functional needs, to ensure they are safe.