HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02251986 - X.2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: PHIL BATCHELOR, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COSta Contra
01.0
DATE: February 25, 1986 County
SUBJECT: 1986 WINTER STORM REPORT
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
On Friday, February 14, 1986, the State Office of Emergency Services
reported to the county that. . . .
A high wind warning will be in effect today for
the central coastline from Point Conception
northward for gusty southerly wind to near 50
mph. Elsewhere wind should run 20 to 40 mph
throughout much of the day. This combined with
already wet soil means more downed powerlines and
trees can be expected—especially in coastal
communities such as Cambria. For the coastal
waters from Point Pinos to Point Conception a gale
warning is in effect for southerly wind at 25 to
40 knots with 5 to 9 foot waves today and tonight
and southwest swell to 12 feet increasing to near
16 feet tomorrow.
As a precaution, the Director, Office of Emergency Services, Contra Costa
County changed the alert Condition to Status "B". This means that
conditions exist which could result in an emergency such as continuing and
excessive rain. Friday afternoon the entire staff of the County Office of
Emergency Services was placed on alert and subject to immediate recall
anytime during the three day holiday weekend.
On Monday, February 17, 1986, upon receiving an updated weather report and
after conferring with the Director, County Flood Control District, the
Director, OES, elevated the county Status to "C" (which means the
potential situation indicates that it appears to be a matter of when
rather than if) . All Senior Coordinators and the Emergency Public
Information Officer were recalled and at 12:00 noon, the EOC was activated
on a first phase basis.
The Director then established Communications with the County
Administrator, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, American Red Cross, Diablo
and Berkeley Chapters, County Flood Control, Sheriff/Coroner, Marine
Patrol and each City in the county
CONTI E ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATOR
::iCOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S) a�
ACTION OF BOARD ON February 25 , 1986 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
__X__XJNANIMOUS (ABSENT --- ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISOR29 ON THE DATE SHOWN.
County Administrator ` p
CC: Public Works ATTESTED 7
Sheriff'-Coroner Phil Batchelor Clerk of fhe Board of
General Services Supervisors and County Administrator -
Emergency Services
Bethel Island FPD,,v
M382/7-"tnerican Red. Cross ,Calif.Conservfffinn {� DEPUTY
Corp-, As semblvman Baker
TO: Members, Board of Supervisors
Winter Storm Report (Continued)
Reported problems caused by the high winds and rain on Monday included:
o Mudslide, Danville
o Bridge Closure, North Richmond
o San Pablo Reservoir overflowing, Richmond
o Sewage overflow being pumped into the bay, Pinole
o Flooding, Pleasant Hill
o Flash Flood Warning
On Tuesday, February 18, 1986, during the height of the storm, the
county's Office of Emergency Services, Flood Control office and Sheriff's
Marine Patrol personnel were on duty 24 hours responding to such problems
as:
o Freeway 680 closure, Martinez
o Flooding, Pittsburg
o Requests for sandbags, all over county
o Mudslide, Orinda
o Evacuation of Senior's Home, Martinez
o Mudslides, Walnut Creek
Wednesday, February 19, 1986 as the storm moved northward, the concern
shifted from west and central county and focused in the Delta area. The
failure of dams and levees upstate that were impacting the Sacramento
River increased concern for the stability of the Contra Costa delta
levees.
Additional storm related problems were reported from E1 Sobrante,
Blackhawk, Chevron Refinery and Danville. As a precaution, Flood Control
personnel successfully diverted Marsh Creek water away from homes by
utilizing sandbags and removing a section of the levee. A more detailed
Incident Log is attached.
Following a National Weather Service forecast of heavy rainfall and high
run-off in the river communities, Mr. Seth Cockrell of Holland Tract
requested 1,000 sandbags to reinforce the levee and asked that a
Proclamation of an Emergency be made for the area. A state of Local
Emergency for Holland Tract was proclaimed on February 19, 1986.
The concern for levees in the Delta area increased on Thursday, February
20, 1986. Following an overflight by the Public Works Director and
myself, the specific areas of concern in the Delta were identified as
Jersey and Bradford Islands. Each island's President was called. Mr.
Halsey of Jersey Island was notified that the county was ready to lend
assistance if requested; Bradford requested and was sent two work crews.
Late Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service downgraded the
weather condition to scattered showers and flood watch.
The county weathered the storm exceptionally well. All of the damage
reported caused discomfort but was not devastating. Only one (1) fatality
was reported in the county. Two factors can be credited with the county's
reasonably good status; individual care of home- and community and more
experienced employees.
To: Members, Board of Supervisors
1986 Winter Storm Report (Continued)
Following the 1982 and 83 storms, individuals throughout the county were
observed cleaning creekbeds and installing drainage systems on their
property. This helped the water flow away from their homes and
structures. Government can never replace this kind of community
involvement. Additionally, the 1982/83 storms provided county staff with
experience that aided them in responding swiftly and resourcefully when a
problem was reported. Their effort has been no less than heroic.
Because of this, it is recommended that the staff of the following offices
and agencies be issued Certificates of Commendation.
o County Public Works, Flood Control District
o County Sheriff/Coroner, Marine Patrol
o Sheriff's Communication Division, Comm 7
o Marsh Creek Detention Center
o General Services Department, Workfare Program
o County Office of Emergency Services
o Bethel Island Fire
o California Conservation Corps
o American Red Cross
As of 5:00 p.m. , Monday, February 24, 1986, the total number of of homes
damaged are 32, seven of these homes have 40% or more damage. The Public
Works Department reports $2,149,000.00 in public property damage. Much of
the state and federal assistance that has been made available through the
Presidential Declaration of a State of Emergency is not available to
county residents affected by the storm because a State of Emergency has
not been proclaimed in the County. Therefore, it is recommended that the
Board ratify the Emergency Proclamation of February 19, 1986 for Holland
Tract and further Proclaim a State of Local Emergency for Contra Costa
County.
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