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C. 16

To:	Contra Costa County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors
From:	Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	October 20, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

ADOPT Resolution declaring October 19–24, 2015, as Flood Preparedness Week, Countywide. (No fiscal impact)

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 10/20/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Tim Jensen, (925) 313-2390
cc:	David Twa, CAO Thomas Geiger, County Counsel's Office Sharon Hymes-Offord, Risk Management Betsy Burkhart, CCTV Steve Kowalewski, Deputy Chief Engineer Mike Carlson, Flood Control Tim Jensen, Flood Control Carrie Ricci, P.W. Administration Catherine Windham, Flood Control

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: October 20, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2015/389 declaring the week of October 19–24, 2015, as California Flood Preparedness Week.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact.

BACKGROUND:

California Flood Preparedness Week 2015 is a statewide effort to increase public awareness of flood risk and flood protection and improve public safety for all Californians. With the theme of “Be Aware, Be Prepared, and Take Action!”, communities across California, including those in Contra Costa County, are using this opportunity to alert residents and business of flood risks and provide them with information on preparing for heavy rains and/or flooding.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

With this year’s El Niño influenced weather prediction, it is especially imperative that each person take time to prepare, educate themselves, and collect emergency supplies. Information regarding flood preparedness is on the County’s web page at http://www.cccounty.us/435/Flooding-Information. Each property owner is encouraged to inspect and clean out drainage systems and creeks on their property now, prior to the heavy rains. As in the past, various communities have locations where sandbags can be obtained to help protect homes and businesses from localized flooding.

Localized heavy rains can happen unexpectedly, so paying attention to the weather and utilizing forecasting resources is important. Information regarding local flooding potential is on the County’s web page at http://www.cccounty.us/1578/Flood-Forecast-Information. The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District monitors 29 rain gauges and seven flow elevation gauges to provide information, as well as assist in flood forecasting, in conjunction with National Weather Service information.

The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and Public Works Department crews have been working hard to prepare for this winter. Our regional flood protection facilities and local drainage systems are ready, and expected to perform well during large storms as they have in the past. The historic localized flood-prone areas will be monitored through the winter. Various County agencies have prepared with disaster response coordination and training. Key personnel are available to respond to emergencies at any time. Citizen monitoring is also valuable, and concerns can be reported 24/7 via phone, email, or web page.

The County’s Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Program is ongoing with an annual outreach to schools in September, maintaining warning signs in flood control channels, and coordination with Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Swiftwater Rescue operations. This fall and winter, Walnut Creek Intermediate School is hosting a safety awareness campaign regarding the flood control channel that traverses its campus. See www.cccounty.us/creekandchannelsafety for more information.

The above information will be sent to media outlets and community sites to coincide with this Board action. Key staff are available to answer questions, attend community meetings, or be interviewed upon request.

The Chief Engineer, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District recommends that the Board declare October 19–24, 2015, as California Flood Preparedness Week.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this Resolution is not adopted, members of the public may not receive important information about flood preparedness and creek and channel safety.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The FC District will continue to work with the schools and youth-based groups within the County to educate children about safety regarding creeks and flood control channels.