City of Salinas Flood Response Preparations

Winter Preparations Goals for 2015/2016

• Community Preparedness in the event of flooding• Media cooperation on safety and preparedness,

public information sharing• Location of Sandbags for private use• Implement proactive steps to reduce the likelihood

of flooding: Salinas River Channel Clearing• Enhance emergency response capability to flooding

incidents City/County wide

Cooperating Agencies&

Collaborative Efforts

County of Monterey Water Resources County of Monterey OESCounty of Monterey Board of Supervisors County of Monterey EMSCounty of Monterey Farm Bureau City of Salinas Office of the MayorCity of Salinas Police Department City of Salinas Fire DepartmentCounty of Monterey Ag. Commissioner City of Salinas Public Works Cal Fire-Monterey/San Benito Unit Hartnell CollegeGrowers-Shippers Association Salinas Elementary School DistrictCity of Marina Fire Department County of Monterey EOC County of Monterey OACC California Fish & Game Commission

Past County Floods

History of Flooding in California

1. Dec-1862- Rained for 45 days, Sac/San Joaquin Valleys , Orange County were lakes. California went bankrupt. (Atmospheric River)

2. Dec-1955- Rained 15 inches in one day. Stockton, Sacramento flooded (LN)

3. March-1964- 6 wettest days ever; 34 Counties declared disasters, 500 yr. flood (LN)

4. Jan-1982- No. California, 280 million in damages (EN)

5. Feb-1986- 1000 year flood for northern California (EN)

6. Jan-1995- Salinas River flooded 4’ above the Flood level of 1862

7. Jan-1997- Wettest single day recorded, 230 million in damages, rained 30” over 12 days (EN)

Monterey County Flood Damages of 1995, 1997 and 1998

• All received state and federal disaster declarations• 1998- 29,000 acres damaged- $45 million in building/ Ag losses• 1995- Jan and March 2 major storms- 11,000 residents displaced,

$230 million in building/infrastructure/Ag losses• 1997- (EN)- Flooding in Carr Lake, Gabilan, Santa Rita and Natividad

Creeks. Salinas River to Blanco Road. Kern Street Mobile Home Park flooded for 11 days.

PreparationsSFD and SPD not currently prepared for flood emergency response.

*Specialized training and equipment is needed*

What is El Nino?

El Nino is a warming of the Pacific Ocean’s surface temperature near the equator more then normal. This disrupts the wind direction and jet stream and can cause more rain and severe weather in California, the southwest and South America. Asia and Australia typically will have drought conditions at the same time.

Since 1951, there have been five (5) Strong El Nino winters. During these, rainfall was increased by 140%. In 1997/98 ocean temperatures were 2.7 degrees higher; today, they are 3.78 degrees higher.

What is La Nina?

La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. Can have the same weather effect as an El Nino.

California Modern History of El Nino’s & La Nina’s

El Niño Seasons La Niña SeasonsWeak Mod Strong Very Strong Weak Mod Strong

1951-52* 1963-64 1957-58 1982-83 1950-51 1955-56 1973-741952-53 1986-87 1965-66 1997-98 1954-55 1970-71 1975-761953-54 1987-88* 1972-73 1964-65 1998-99 1988-891958-59 1991-92 1967-68* 1999-00*

1968-69* 2002-03 1971-72 2007-08 1969-70 2009-10 1974-75 2010-11* 1976-77 1983-84 1977-78 1984-85

1979-80* 1995-96 1994-95* 2000-01 2004-05 2011-12

2006-07

1997/98 and 2015/16 El Nino Comparison

Winter 2015/2016 El Nino Predictions

1. As large as the 1997-1998 El Nino (largest recorded to date) 95% prediction- Dec. to March greatest activity

2. Already responsible for 15 named Hurricanes/Storms in the Pacific (33% increase), flooding in So. Cal and the southwest

3. Typically So. Cal/Southwest receives the brunt of storm activity

4. Past 4 El Nino outcomes: 50% chance of significant rainfall and major storm damage for No. California

How Can Local Flooding be Problematic this Year?

Salinas River Channel severely restricted by sediment build-up and undergrowth. Significant reason for possible flooding!

1997 Flood Flow: 94,000 CFS2015 Capacity (Est.): 39,000 CFS

A majority of the Salinas River/local creek levees are not constructed to flood standards and have not been maintained for 8 years

4th year of Drought- significant runoff probability

Covered crops increase runoff capability: Strawberries

Environmental and Food standard changes for areas that Flood. Stricter regulations enacted after 1997- Leafy Green Act

What is Needed to Prepare Salinas

• Swift Water Rescue (SWR) Awareness training for all SFD Personnel

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for SFD personnel and potential victims

• Three (3) Rescue Boats and related equipment• Cargo Trailer for equipment storage and emergency response• Command Training for all SFD Officer Staff• Provide training to SPD Command Staff• First Responder Awareness (FRA) Training for PW• Alert Monterey and EBS Notification awareness• Funding needed for preparedness = $100,000

Potential Salinas River/City of Salinas Flooding Predictions from NOAA

Historic crest of the Salinas River occurred on March 12, 1995 at 30.29 feet. In 1998, 24.54’ was recorded on February 8th.Flood Impacts-

• Above 24’- Low areas along the Salinas River will have significant flooding. River Road moderate flooding with Speckles Blvd. beginning to flood.

• Above 30’- Entire lower Salinas Valley will have disastrous flooding. Entire City in danger of flooding. Most of Castroville will flood. All roads near the Salinas River will be impassable. 90,000 acres of Ag. Land could be impacted.

Timelines for Emergency Response Training and Equipment Implementation

City Manager approved additional funding: 8/29

On-Line Training program for all SFD Personnel completed: 10/30

Hands on Boat and rescue training (SPD, SFD): 11/20

PW Staff water awareness training: 11/30

Storm drain cleaning and equipment checks: 12/1

EOC planning and coordination with County OES: 12/15

Alert Monterey/Web EOC Enhancements: 1/16

Increased Response Capabilities through Funding

• SWRA response coverage available 24/7• All personnel safely trained and equipped to the SWRA

level• Pro-active response capable instead of reactive• Requires minimal investment for safe and effective

response capabilities• Enhance/involve public awareness and community

safety

* Boat Operations only in life threatening situations*

Pro-Active Response Cooperation by City Departments-SPD/SFD/PW

• Ensure all storm drain/pump systems operational-PW• Post/Evacuate flood prone areas imminently threatened-SPD• Patrol local waterways for potential victims and evacuate

before rains begin-SPD/SFD• Open shelters during severe storms-City/County• Increase police and fire staffing during severe storms, known

flooding events- SPD/SFD• PSA’s- Flood prevention tips, post/patrol dangerous areas

(English and Spanish)- All, Media• Sandbag, Sand and Heavy Equipment- Co. PW/PW

SPD ResourcesCapable of carrying up to 8 in 3’ of moving water

Losses to Agricultural/Tourism/Infrastructure from Flooding

• Agricultural losses could exceed 1 billion• Total loss of 230 million from 1997 could be

exceeded• Flooded roads, lost bridges would affect tourism on

the Peninsula greatly• Recovery could be longer do to the Leafy Green Act• Flooding could be more wide spread due to the

current status of the Salinas River

Unsafe to……

Safety

Citizen Preparedness &

Safety Tips and Information

Help us help you…..1. Evacuate when directed to do so2. 50% of drowning victims are rescuers/would be rescuers3. Subscribe to Alert Monterey: http://www.alertmontereycounty.org/

Tips for Flood Safety, protecting your home or business and safety around moving water:

Monterey County OES- http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/oes/NOAA Flood Safety- http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/ FEMA English/Spanish- https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/1605Before a Flood Safety Tips- https://www.floodsmart.gov

Understanding how Dangerous Moving Water is!!

1. 6” of moving water can knock you down!2. Cars can be swept away in 2’ of moving water!3. The pressure and velocity of water can strip clothing,

make it impossible to grab and hold objects and accelerate hypothermia!

4. Water pressure against an object: 62.4 pounds/sq. inch x CFS = Entrapment

5. Keep out of areas posted as dangerous!

Stay away from moving/flooding waters

QUESTIONS????