San Bernardino County
Recent Burn Areas at Higher Flood Risk
Residents encouraged to Prepare
January
27, 2021__
The
National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting heavy rainfall late Thursday
evening into Friday, with rain levels at the 6,000-foot level; meaning rain
will melt the snowpack. If the predicated rainfall amounts occur, there is a
potential for flooding, along with mud and debris flows and a strong
possibility of mudslides in the recent burn areas.
Heavy
rainfall can cause normally dry washes and riverbeds to become raging torrents
in a very short amount of time and it only takes as little as 12 inches of
moving water to move a vehicle. Never cross a road that you can’t see due to it
being covered by water, remember, Turn
Around, Don’t Drown.
While
the county is preparing and residents have been given instructions on what they
should do to get ready, people that live in areas that have burned recently are
presented with unique challenges. Normally, vegetation absorbs rain, but after
a wildfire, the charred ground where that vegetation has been burned away
creates a loss of soil strength and can no longer easily absorb rainwater,
increasing the risk of flooding and mudflows for several years. Properties
directly affected by fires, and those located downstream of burn areas, are
most at risk.
Post-fire
landslide hazards include fast-moving and highly destructive debris flows.
Post-fire debris flows are particularly hazardous because they can occur with
little warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, can
strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures, and endanger human
life. Wildfires could potentially result in the destabilization of pre-existing
deep-seated landslides over long time periods.
The
best preparation for possible flooding is to plan. Ready! Set! Go!
Flood
Preparation brochure https://www.sbcfire.org/Programs/ReadySetGoFlood.aspx
will show you some of the things you can
do to protect your home, property and family. You’ll find information about how
to prepare for wet weather, things like cleaning out rain gutters and storm
drains, where you can sign up for emergency alerts, fire stations that have
sandbags available, and what you should have in an emergency kit. There is also
specific information for areas that have recently been burned by wildfire.
Sandbags can be extremely
effective when used properly. Sandbags do not guarantee a water-tight seal, but
properly placed sandbags can help redirect water, mud and debris away from your
home. Click - https://bit.ly/2KDoAYP to find your closest sand and sandbag
location, or visit - www.sbcfire.org
Weather Alert Terminology
When
heavy rain has been forecast – or when heavy, steady rain is falling – monitor
the news, websites and social media sites for updated weather conditions. The
phrasing meteorologists use is important:
•
Flood Watch means flooding is possible in your area. • Flood Warning means
flooding in your area is already occurring or is imminent.
•
Flash Flood Warning is sudden violent flooding that is already occurring or is
imminent. Flash floods often come up quickly during heavy rain and can be
experienced in areas not immediately receiving rain.
Evacuation Terminology Public Safety officials issue
evacuations when there is an immediate/possible threat to the public. Never
ignore an evacuation order/warning, as it could mean a matter of life or death.
•
Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave
now. The area is fully closed to public access.
•
Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require
additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave
now.
•
Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to
self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for
additional direction.
Resources
•
El Dorado/Apple Fire Burn Area Information https://burnareainfo.sbcounty.gov/
•
Ready! Set! Go! Flood Preparation Tips https://www.sbcfire.org/Programs/ReadySetGoFlood.aspx
•
Sand & Sandbag Locations https://bit.ly/2KDoAYP
•
National Weather Service http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/
to see current and upcoming weather events
•
ReadySB App http://readydl.com/landing/eoc06071/index.html
provides residents with multiple resources that will assist them in preparing
for a disaster such as flooding. ReadySB
is now available as a free download from the Apple App Store and the Google
Play Store.
•
Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) www.sbcounty.gov/SBCFire/TENS/TENS Contact.aspx register to receive emergency
text messages on your cell phone. Those without internet connections can
sign-up by calling 211 or (909) 980-2857 for assistance in registering.