Imperial Valley News

Pasadena, California - As wet weather arrives, state and federal officials urge Californians affected by the 2007 fires to take precaution against flooding and landslides that may occur as a result of fire-scorched landscapes.

 

“The rain is just beginning; now is the time to prepare for the possibility of wintertime flooding and erosion,” said Henry Renteria, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) and state coordinating officer for the fire recovery effort. “Local, state and federal officials have been doing everything possible to stabilize the burn areas, but the risk from post-fire hazards can never be completely eliminated.”

 

“I urge Californians living in and below the burn areas to take steps to reduce their risk of death, injury and property loss from flooding, mudflow and debris flow,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Severe storm events can cause flash floods, contaminate the drinking water supply, disrupt electrical service, damage homes and contents, and threaten lives. Natural disasters such as fires elevate these risks by creating sudden damage to the watershed, which increases, potential for soil erosion and runoff. If the storm is intense or lasts a long time, the risk of flooding, debris torrents and debris flow increases.