NEWS RELEASE
FROM THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

Corrected for typographical errors; also please note the referenced Board of Supervisors meeting will be in their regular meeting location in the Board Chambers, County Government Center, 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo

Contact: Ron Alsop, Tracey Vardas, or George Brown, Emergency Services Coordinators, County Office of Emergency Services (805) 781-5011

County Proclaims Local Emergency Due to Recent Storms; Emergency Meeting of Board of Supervisors to Be Held; Ice Available to Cambria Residents

San Luis Obispo, CA, January 4, 2006 – As a result of damages and the continuing effects from the recent storms to citizens, businesses and public agencies throughout the county, a Proclamation of Local Emergency has been made by the County Administrator and Emergency Services Director David Edge.

A request was also made to the State Office of Emergency Services requesting Governor Schwarzeneggar to proclaim a State of Emergency for San Luis Obispo County. In turn, the County has requested that Governor Schwarzeneggar request a Presidential Declaration of Emergency from President Bush for San Luis Obispo County.

The Local Proclamation of Emergency frees up local resources to respond even more promptly than they already have been by streamlining the approval process necessary to obtain additional assistance and resources. The Proclamation of Local Emergency was made because local resources, such as public works crews, need assistance beyond their capabilities to respond to the storm and related recovery efforts. For example, the State of California is providing CDF hand crews to assist local crews in Cambria with clearing downed trees and other debris in order to get roads open once again.

Although local agencies have been concentrating their efforts on working to clear roads and provide other assistance, and thus have not had the opportunity to do extensive damage assessment, a very preliminary estimate of $3,350,000 in countywide damages has been reported to the State by the County Office of Emergency Services.

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will meet in an emergency session at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, January 5, 2006 to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency. Additional information on response efforts and damages will be reported to the Board at that time.

Local agencies continue to respond as promptly as possible to clear roads and where needed are working hand-in-hand with PG&E to clear downed trees and restore power as quickly as possible.

Editor's note:
Please see the Public Service Announcement accompanying this release for information from the Cambria Community Services District/Cambria Fire Department regarding ice being made available in that community for citizens who have been without power.

In addition, for reference purposes, the information has been reprinted below.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Tracey Vardas, 441-0650

January 2, 2006 - San Luis Obispo County is currently experiencing isolated flooding in low lying areas throughout County. The County Emergency Operations Center was partially activated and representatives from County Office of Emergency Services, Fire, Law, Cal Trans and American Red Cross monitored the situation.

At this time an evacuation order for Morro Strand State Park Campground has been issued due to a sewage spill. There is only minor road flooding and minimal closures. Individuals traveling should be aware of water on the roads and should exercise defensive driving and adjust speed accordingly.

Please use 911 for immediate life threatening emergencies only. For road issues in the unincorporated areas of the County, contact County Public Works at 781-5252.

NEWS RELEASE
FROM THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
 
Contact:  Emergency Services Coordinator Ron Alsop or George Brown
                                   
Storm Preparation Tips and Information   
 
San Luis Obispo, CA, January 5, 2005 – With the ground already soaked from previous storms, and with the expectation of possibly significant amounts of rainfall in the coming days, there is a high potential for problems such as flooding and dangerous driving conditions throughout our county.
 
All county residents and visitors should be aware that no area is immune to flooding. As demonstrated during recent storms heavy rains can result in flooding that can inundate cars and other property, and cause considerable damage.  Within and around small streams and river beds, water levels may rise quickly in heavy rainstorms, and flash floods can begin before the rain stops falling. Flash flood waves can move at incredible speeds.
 
Tips to follow before and during a storm include:

• Avoid areas that are subject to sudden flooding; DO NOT try to cross a flowing stream – water as low as six inches deep – or in some cases, less - may cause you to be swept away by strong currents;
• DO NOT try to drive over a flooded road – this may cause you to be both stranded and trapped;
• If your home or business is flooded, turn off the electricity at the main circuit box, but first be sure you are not wet or standing in water;
• Obtain emergency supplies ahead of time – waiting until a storm hits may be too late. During a flood emergency, sandbags and other items may be hard to obtain. Sandbags, which can be filled with soils other than sand, can be purchased at many hardware, feed, and supply stores;
• During storms, listen to radio and/or TV stations for weather information, including flash flood watches and warnings. Some actions to take during storms and after a flash flood or other weather warning include getting out of areas subject to flooding, including low lying areas; avoid flooded areas and high velocity flow areas; if driving, know the depth of water before crossing it, and don't take any chances.
• Have personal emergency supplies on hand, such as battery powered radios, flashlights, needed medications, first aid supplies, warm clothing and blankets, and water and food in event of power, water, or other utility outages
• Remember to use flashlights and other battery powered sources and not candles, since candles are a fire hazard.  Also remember to NOT use barbeques indoors due to the carbon monoxide danger.

Public agencies have been working together to be prepared for potential heavy rainfall. For example, work such as clearing trash and debris from under Windsor bridge in the Cambria area has done by County Public Works to help water flow as much as possible; Public Works, County Office of Emergency Services, Sheriff's Department, and CDF/County Fire have coordinated preparedness efforts, and County OES is coordinating with State OES in the event any major assistance is needed for responding to storm emergencies.
 
However, it should be noted that response efforts will be concentrated on those situations with a high threat to the public and health and safety, and there may be no or very limited emergency resources available to help with minor flood related damages; certainly flooding cannot be prevented, but each of us can and should be prepared for the additional rains and related conditions we may face in the coming days.