At least once in the last 20 years, every county in California has had a federal flood disaster declared in its borders, and with winter storms looming, government agencies are urging Californians to learn their risk and prepare for the worst.
California’s first-ever Flood Preparedness Week, Oct. 15-20, launched with new educational Web site sponsored by state and federal agencies.
The flood preparedness education campaign is a joint effort by the California Department of Water Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Emergency Management Agency, the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration’s National Weather Service, and Sacramento County.
The campaign is designed to make more people aware of the many types of flood risk in California. The state is subject not only to river and coastal flooding, but also at risk of tsunami, deep floodplain, alluvial fan and debris flow flooding.
With increased awareness, families and individuals should make an effort to become better prepared for disaster. Nationally, more people die in flooding than any other natural disaster.
Throughout California Flood Preparedness Week, participating agencies will be posting information on their Facebook pages and sending out messages via Twitter about the different types of flooding
Californians should be aware of flood dangers not only where they live, but where they work and visit. Facebook friends and Twitter followers will be encouraged to visit the California Flood Preparedness Web site for more information and for practical instruction on how to prepare, including what to put in a preparedness kit and how to create a family evacuation plan.
For more information on California Flood Preparedness Week, and to learn more about California’s flood risk and preparation efforts, visit www.water.ca.gov/ca-flood-preparedness/ .