Flood Safety
To help protect its citizens, particularly those in the most flood prone areas, the City has developed and continues to update its Flood Alert System. Through this system, our Police and Fire Departments will attempt to give areas at risk as much warning time as possible. The Flood Alert System is a computer system, which was installed in 1984 to monitor weather conditions and record stream heights and precipitation. The Water Resources and Conservation Department and the Fire Department monitor this system. During inclement weather the information on the computer can model the event to help determine the height of the water and the approximate time duration. This information allows emergency managers to coordinate resources and/or evacuations as needed from the Emergency Operations Center. If public safety personnel deem it necessary, notification to evacuate will be given. Residents will be advised to move to a safe area before access is cut off by floodwaters. Please remember, we have limited resources and during inclement weather we are being summoned to assist in numerous other areas of the City. We strongly suggest you take the time to formulate a family evacuation plan. In a flood emergency, the following precautions should be taken only if time permits:

1. Fill containers with an adequate source of drinking water.
2. Turn off all utilities, and contact P G & E to assist you in turning them back on.
3. Move valuable papers and objects to higher elevations (shelves, attics, etc.).
4. Bring outdoor items into the garage so that they don’t become floating debris.
5. Take necessary medications with you.
6. Do not walk through flowing water.
7. Do not drive through flooded areas.
8. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.