The Sacramento, Feather and Bear Rivers, flowing along the boundaries of Sutter County,
are subject to heavy runoff from the mountains surrounding the Sacramento Valley and have
flooded throughout the past. Additionally, the Sutter By-Pass, a floodwater relief
channel for the Sacramento River, flows north-to-south through the center of Sutter
County. All of these waterways are controlled by levees.
While most of Sutter County would be threatened by inundation as a result of dam failure
at several Northern California reservoirs (e.g., Oroville and Shasta Dams), the highest
risk disaster threat to Sutter County is flooding from heavy winter storms. This type of
incident follows an extended period of heavy rainfall and steadily rising river levels
over a period of days; hence the name "slow rise flood." Flooding could result from levee
failure or overtopping. This type of event is always accompanied by the back-up of surface
drainage flows in low-lying areas.
Sutter County has a plan to alert its citizens to the hazards from flooding; however,
everyone must take responsibility for their own individual and family planning and
preparation. Further, it is a good idea to be at least minimally prepared at all times
for a sudden emergency. The
American
Red Cross website
carries a guide to personal emergency preparation. You may wish to
consult the site and use it to decide the appropriate level of preparation for you and
your family as an on-going precaution for all types of emergencies.
Flooding Warning System
Sutter County utilizes three emergency activation phases in its flood warning system:
Planning and Preparation Phase:
In this phase, the river has flowed over the banks of the main channel, and government
assumes a readiness condition.
Ready for Action Phase:
All those in the affected area should be ready for an Advisory Evacuation Notice or
Mandatory Evacuation Order to be given at any time. Any last-minute preparations should
be made.
(An Advisory Evacuation Notice is issued when conditions exist which indicate a Mandatory
Evaluation order may be given in the near future. The threat to lives is not yet imminent
but there is potential for rapidly changing conditions to develop into a serious threat.
Residents are advised to leave the area. A Mandatory Evacuation is ordered when
conditions exist that seriously endanger lives. The danger is imminent. All non-essential
persons are ordered to immediately leave the area via the described evacuation routes.)
Emergency Phase:
At this point, the likelihood of a mandatory evacuation of the affected area becomes much
greater. It will probably be called in the near future, and there will be little or no
time for individuals or business owners to take further protective actions. It is crucial
for persons to pay close attention to emergency information provided by the County and
the Cities.
To determine which phase is in effect, please listen to a local radio or television
station (see following paragraph) for the reported river levels and then review the table
below which portrays the river levels, in feet, for the three emergency activation phases
for the various areas of the county.
Emergency Activation Phases
There are numerous factors that contribute to the flood danger present at any
given time. For example, the forecasted weather, the forecasted river crest,
the releases from upstream dams, the length of time water has been on the levee,
the number of times water has been on the levee in the season, the time of day,
and the number of people to be evacuated are all considered before an evacuation
is ordered.
Because much of Sutter County is low-lying and protected by levees, individuals
and families should have a plan for where they would go and what they would take
should a mandatory evacuation be called. It may be expected that you will have
to leave Sutter County altogether. Once you evacuate the area, you will not be
able to return until the evacuation order has been cancelled. You should also
monitor local radio and television stations for road and bridge closures. In
addition, CalTrans provides recorded road information and highway conditions
at (800) 427-ROAD (7623); just know your highway numbers before you call.
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