In preparation for a Category Five storm heading toward Winters, City Manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa announced a Flood Watch is in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4 through 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 6.
“Rainfall will be very heavy at times. While Winters has fared relatively well in recent storms, other areas of the County have already experienced localized flooding and power outages,” Trepa said. “The County will/has proactively declared a local state of emergency to prepare for potential emergency response activities.”
Trepa encouraged residents to take action to “batten down the hatches and make sure all lighter objects are moved against buildings or inside.” It’s advised to bring outdoor patio furniture and tools inside or to place them against structures. Community members are advised to watch for downed tree limbs and utility lines and call 911 if they observe downed utility lines.
Motorists are encouraged to not drive through flooded roadways. Trepa noted, “only six inches of swift water can move a car” and emphasized the importance of using caution when out walking around town or driving.
Public Works can be reached during the day to report downed limbs, plugged drains, or issues in the public right of way requiring immediate assistance at City Hall’s main line 530-795-4910. To contact Public Works after 5 p.m., call 530-795-4561 and the dispatch will contact Public Works staff.
Winters Fire and Police Departments posted sandbag announcements on their social media accounts. The City of Winters Public Works Department has provided sandbag materials at the dead end of East Street (between the Corpyard and Yolo Federal Credit Union buildings). Residents will need to bring their own shovels to create sandbags.
Public safety officials posted the following instructions on filling and using sandbags:
- Fill the provided sandbags one-half to two-thirds full.
- Tie the filled sandbag toward the top to transport them.
- Fold over the top of the sandbag. The fold should be on the bottom of the bag when placing them around a property.
After each row of sandbags, tamp down the wall by walking along the layer. To build rows, stagger the sandbags similar to how bricks are layered.
In a media release on Wednesday afternoon, Caltrans discouraged motorists from driving during the storm if possible due to the expected amount of heavy rainfall and wind gusts up to 60 mph.
View the Caltrans’ “QuickMap” for current road conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley and chain requirements in the Sierra Nevadas at quickmap.dot.ca.gov. A free QuickMap app is also available to download on the App Store or Google Play. Motorists also can also get details by calling the California Highway Information Network automated phone service at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).
Updated to include Caltrans information
