West Sacramento, CA (MPG) - Community leaders met at Southport Elementary School to kick off Flood Preparedness Week, which started on October 19^th and ended on the 23^rd. Mayor Cabaldon and experts in flood protection, emergency preparedness, and flood-risk reduction talked to parents, teachers, and students at the school.

Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said, “It’s wonderful to live in West Sacramento; we have a great town, we have so many great things to do, rich diversity of people, great location—but the one thing we have to agree to do when you live here is to be prepared for the flood event, because we do live behind levees and we always will. So we are preparing for a flood in any moment.”

The students learned the basics of being prepared for a flood by playing an interactive computer game called “Flood Challenge.” The game tells them how to plan, pack, and protect in case of a flood emergency. A flood exercise on a tabletop demonstrated the effects of flooding.

The City of West Sacramento holds planning and coordination meetings with all state and county agencies and local reclamation districts each year prior to the rain season. These meetings include flood preparedness, levee patrols, warning, evacuation, rescue, flood-fighting care, shelter disaster recovery, and all related readiness activities.

California Flood Preparedness is focusing on the steps that residents in West Sacramento must take so that they can reduce the risk of flooding and plan, pack, and protect their homes and property. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also educates and empowers all Americans to take simple steps to respond to any potential emergencies.

Planning for a flood emergency means that you and your family know evacuation routes. You should have a list of important phone numbers. Your family should also be informed about the different types of disasters that could occur and how you should respond to them.

Packing important items that your family should have in an emergency preparedness kit is crucial for your survival and safety. The emergency supply kit should include drinking water and food for at least three days. If any family members take medications and prescriptions, they should be included in your supply kit. A battery-powered radio, flashlight with extra batteries, and a first-aid kit are also recommended items.

Protecting your home and contents with flood insurance is a smart decision. Flooding can cause thousands of dollars in damage. You should consider having sand bags on hand just in case you may need them.

Even though California is currently experiencing severe drought conditions, the possibility of a flood still exists. West Sacramento is surrounded by a 52-mile system of levees and waterways, located at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers that are adjacent to the Yolo Bypass. It is directly within the flood plain of the Sacramento River.

Record flooding took place in 1986 and again in 1997. The City realized that the levee system needed upgrading, and by 2002, the first round of levee improvement construction had been completed. This raised more than a mile of the Sacramento Bypass by over five feet and over 4.5 miles of the Yolo Bypass Levee by as much as 5.5 feet. The Army Corps of Engineers began work in 2011 on a setback levee along the Sacramento River south levee, which is located near South River Road.

The West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency also continues its levee improvements in West Sacramento. In 2008, the north levee located near the I Street Bridge on the Sacramento River received improvements. The Sacramento Bypass levee and the Sacramento River north levee were constructed in 2011.

The Army Corps of Engineers released a draft general re-evaluation report in 2014, which outlines the plan for more improvements for a full levee system which will surround the City. When the report and plan are finalized and approved by the Army Corps of Engineers, it will become eligible for Congressional authorization. If it is authorized and funded by Congress, the project would be ready to move into design and construction phases would could be cost shared between the Army Corps of Engineers, California, and West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency.

Sources: Giorgos Kazanis, West Sacramento Flood Protect, West Sacramento General Reevaluation Report, FEMA, Army Corps of Engineers