California Floods: Be Aware, Be Prepared

November 4-9 is California Flood Preparedness Week, and Zone 7 is part of a statewide effort to increase public awareness about flood threats and how to prepare appropriately.

“In the last 20 years, every one of California’s 58 counties has experienced a federally declared flood disaster resulting in loss of lives, homes, precious possessions and costing billions of dollars,” notes a proclamation recently adopted by Zone 7’s Board of Directors.

“Zone 7 residents have endured multiple numbers of flood events including the historic floods of 1955 and 1958,” it adds. “In recent history, Zone 7 applied for and received federal and state financial assistance for repair and damage from flood events during 1995, 1998 and 2005.”

During California Flood Preparedness Week, local, state and federal agencies across California work together to inform the public about the dangers of flooding, how to prepare their homes and families for a flood, and plan for recovery.

• To view the state's flood preparedness website, click here.
• To learn about Zone 7's flood protection program, and about the agency's multi-benefit Stream Management Master plan, click here.

Questions?

For stream/channel-related issues, call Zone 7 at 925-454-5000.
For questions regarding storm drains, or on where to obtain free emergency sandbags, call:

• City of Dublin Public Works, 925-833-6630
• City of Livermore Water Resources, 925-960-8100
• City of Pleasanton Operations Services, 925-931-5500
• Alameda County Public Works, 510-670-5500

Zone 7's flood control program is part of its regional water resources management program and aims to protect life, property and habitat from damage and destruction within a 430-square-mile area. The agency maintains 37 miles of flood control channels and access roads. Key operations and maintenance activities include: emergency repairs, routine maintenance and repairs, clearing debris from channels and access roads to maintain flow capacity, vegetation management along channels, inspections to ensure the system is in good working condition to receive and pass storm waters, and rehabilitation or improvements to existing facilities. Zone7 also manages the Development Impact Fee Program that provides funding from new development for planning, design and construction of new flood control projects to mitigate for the additional flows from development.