- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
National Weather Service issues flood watch, includes Clear Lake area; residents encouraged to prepare
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service in Sacramento on Monday issued a flood watch to be effective from Wednesday morning through late Saturday night for portions of Northern California including the Clear Lake area.
A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.
The flood watch indicates that prolonged periods of precipitation will begin midweek through the weekend throughout Northern California and will bring wet and windy weather, likelihood of urban and small stream flooding, and the possibility of debris flows especially near areas burned in recent forest fires.
More than 7 inches of rainfall has been forecasted for Lake County during the four-day period.
According to Lake County Department of Water Resources staff, flooding from Clear Lake is not anticipated; however, flooding from local creeks is likely.
Be aware, be prepared: Important flood safety tips
Lake County residents are asked to be informed, alert and prepared.
To be prepared for possible flooding, residents are encouraged to assemble a family emergency kit, create a family emergency plan and be aware of flood risks.
Following are a few important flood safety tips:
- Know your risk and take action to reduce your risk.
- Be prepared with an emergency kit. Include flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, candles, matches, first-aid kit, medications, blankets, food, and water. The American Red Cross ( http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family ) offers simple checklists to create an emergency preparedness kit.
- Be aware of your surroundings and know your evacuation routes. Relocate to a safe area before access is cut off by rising floodwaters. Don’t forget to take an emergency kit and copies of important documents with you.
- Choose a family meeting place and have a plan for how to communicate during an emergency.
- Tune to local radio or television stations. Listen for emergency information, flood watch and warning bulletins, and instructions from authorities.
- Stay away from rising creeks, streams, and rivers.
- Do not attempt to cross flowing water that may be more than six inches deep. When in doubt, don’t cross.
- Don’t drive through water on the roadway; during floods, more people are trapped and die in their vehicles than anywhere else. Don’t drive around road barriers as floodwaters may have washed out a road or bridge.
- Look out for small animals, especially snakes, which have been flooded out of their homes and may be seeking shelter. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare away small animals.
- Look before stepping. After a flood, the ground and floors may be covered with debris, including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs covered with mud can be very slippery.
- Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Do not smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless the gas has been turned off and the area ventilated.
- Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electric current can travel through water. The second major cause of flood-related death is electrocution. Report downed power lines to PG&E at 800-743-5000.
- Have the electricity turned off by PG&E. Some appliances, such as televisions, maintain electrical charges even after being unplugged. Do not use appliances or motors that have been exposed to water until they have been taken apart, cleaned, and dried.