Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

OAKLAND, Calif. - With many communities throughout the nation facing threats of spring flooding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are once again joining forces to commemorate Flood Safety Awareness Week March 14 - 18.

FEMA and NOAA's National Weather Service are providing tips and information to help individuals and families prepare for flooding dangers during the week and throughout the spring season. The resources can be accessed at the Flood Safety Awareness Week landing page, located at www.ready.gov/floodawareness.

"As the nation's most common and expensive natural disaster, floods can strike virtually every community," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "We're encouraging individuals and families to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their property. These include learning about their risk of flooding, having an emergency preparedness kit, storing important documents in a safe place and considering the purchase of flood insurance. Most homeowners insurance policies don't cover flooding, and most policies take 30 days to go into effect so it's important to act now."

Floods do more than damage property; they can also threaten lives if safety precautions are not followed. "Floods occur somewhere in the United States or its territories nearly every day of the year, killing nearly 100 people on average annually and causing damage in the billions of dollars," said Jack Hayes, Ph.D., director of the National Weather Service. "Awareness, preparedness and action are the key ingredients to protecting lives and property when floods threaten. One essential safety tip is to never cross a road that is covered by water. Remember, Turn Around, Don't Drown."

According to the National Weather Service, more deaths occur due to flooding each year, than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. All areas of the country can be at risk for flooding and when such conditions are forecast, important information and life-saving alerts are available at www.weather.gov.

More than half of all flood-related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Remember flash flooding can take only a few minutes to a few hours to develop. Be prepared to take detours and adjust your route due to road closures if there is standing water. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Flood water may be much deeper than it appears as theroadbed may be washed out. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

In most cases, standard homeowner's insurance policies don't cover flood damages. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program makes flood insurance available to renters, homeowners, and business owners through thousands of insurance agents located in nearly 21,000 communities around the nation. Flood coverage can be purchased for properties both in, and outside of, the highest risk areas but should be considered regardless of where you live since 20 percent of all flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low-risk areas.

The average cost of a policy is $570 a year, and Preferred Risk Policies outside of SFHAs can be as low as $129 a year. Individuals can learn more about seasonal flood risks and what to do to prepare by visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) FloodSmart.gov Web site, or by calling 1-800-427-2419.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

Eric, Riley and Wilma
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Linda, Joe and Deb
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Joe & Hunter rest between searches
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Bill Monahan & Hunter
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Riley with the teams
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All six Search Dog Foundation teams deployed to Japan to help with the search efforts returned safely home last night, including local teams Eric & Riley, Linda & Joe

This was SDF’s 76th deployment, and the first international deployment for Search Teams Eric Gray & Riley and Linda Tacconelli & Joe. The other four SDF teams deployed to Japan—Ron Horetski & Pearl, Bill Monahan & Hunter, Jasmine Segura & Cadillac, and Gary Durian & Baxter—are veterans of the January 2010 Haiti earthquake deployment where they helped bring 12 people to safety.

SDF HANDLER ERIC GRAY:
“Just being at this deployment to Japan was life-changing for me. We were surrounded by complete destruction. I realized that the objects I was walking on had come from somewhere else far away. At first it was challenging just to get your head around it all. Seeing the dogs function in this extreme search environment completely validated the training we have done.”

SDF FOUNDER WILMA MELVILLE:
“I was at the Task Force facility near Los Angeles to welcome home our Search Teams from their deployment to Japan. You can imagine my joy, relief, and pride, when I saw the buses carrying the 72 members of Los Angeles Task Force 2 roll into the receiving area. The handlers looked tired and relieved, but also cheerful and upbeat, and so proud of their dogs! The welcoming crowd was full of warmth, admiration and appreciation. Though no survivors were found during the search, we are all so grateful to the teams, knowing they brought comfort to the devastated community, assuring residents that everything possible had been done to find survivors."

American Red Cross of Ventura County

Ventura, CA, March 20, 2011: Due to large amounts of rain in the past 24 hours, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for parts of Ventura County. The County Office of Emergency Services is strongly encouraging people to not travel unless necessary, and people in low-lying areas should be prepared to take necessary actions to leave their home should rain levels increase to flood-level stages.

The American Red Cross would like to remind residents of the following preparedness tips:

If your area is under a Flood Watch or Warning:

Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

Items you should have gathered and ready:

Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day

Food—at least a 3-day supply of non- perishable, easy-to-prepare food

Flashlight Ë Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

Extra batteries

First aid kit

Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)

Sanitation and personal hygiene items

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phone with chargers

Family and emergency contact information

Extra cash

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, more than half a million volunteers and 30,000 employees helped victims of 70,000 disasters nationwide; and taught lifesaving skills to millions. Locally, the American Red Cross, San Luis Obispo County Chapter provided services to more than 20,000 members of our community and distributed disaster preparedness and health and safety materials to thousands of school children, seniors and community members. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. For more information, please contact the American Red Cross, San Luis Obispo County Chapter at (805) 987-1514. You can now follow the American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter on Twitter for up to date information: @RedCrossVentura.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 03/20/2011, at about 4:45 PM, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office began receiving calls of overdue hikers in the Ventura County backcountry. It was quickly determined that many of these missing individuals were all associated with a professional hiking group - the “Los Padres Sierra Club.” The reporting parties said the club members had not returned from an overnight camping trip in the Los Padres National Forest. The number of missing club members was believed to be around 20 to 30 members.

As the information developed further, it was learned that this group of hikers set out into the forest on Saturday morning, 03/19/2011, in the face of the on-coming storm. The club then split into three separate groups, with each group being led by a Sierra Club “team leader” and each group hiking in a different area of the forest. The information as to exactly where these three groups planned to hike was limited. According to the reporting parties, their plan was to spend the night in the mountains and then hike out Sunday morning.

Through interviews with concerned family members, it was determined the three groups were likely in or around the Middle Matillija, Middle Lions Camp, and Potrero John areas of the Los Padres National Forest. All three of these areas can be accessed off of Hwy 33, above the City of Ojai. Sheriff’s personnel were also able to obtain vehicle information from the reporting parties, so Search and Rescue (SAR) resources were immediately deployed to the above-mentioned areas to try and locate the missing vehicles at the various campgrounds and/or trailheads that dot the area. A Sheriff’s helicopter was also dispatched to assist with the search, however the helicopter was unable to access the mountain areas due to the high winds, rain and poor visibility generated from the powerful storm system.

The Upper Ojai Mountain Rescue Team was able to locate several vehicles believed to belong to the Sierra Club hiking parties in the areas of Lion’s Camp and Potrero John. The SAR Team checked the immediate area around these locations, however they were unable to hike down the trails due to swollen and treacherous water crossings that had developed due to the heavy rains and large amount of storm run off. As a result, and due to safety concerns, the decision was made to suspend further rescue operations until the next morning.

As the Ojai SAR Team was leaving the area, the SAR Team Captain (Bill Slaughter) noticed some lights coming from a ridge top. The area where the lights were coming from was on top of a steep cliff. Believing the lights to be associated with some of the missing Sierra Club hikers, a ground based search and rescue operation was immediately initiated. Members of the East Valley Mountain Rescue Team responded to assist the Ojai SAR Team with the rescue. SAR members were given assignments to try and access the area on foot. At about 11:00 PM, SAR members made contact with (4) four of the missing Sierra Club members – all of whom were in a very precarious situation. The four members explained that they had experienced heavy rains all night on Saturday night, so they set out first thing Sunday morning to try and make it out of the backcountry. As they tried to hike out, the four individuals found that they were no longer able to cross the water crossings, so they abandoned their tents and backpacks and attempted to scale a ridgeline to make it to Hwy 33. They soon became very tired and very cold.

The Ojai and East Valley SAR Teams had to rig safety lines across the water crossings, as well as a waterfall, and then secure each individual in a harness system in order to pull them safely across the dangerous water and steep terrain. All four Sierra Club members were suffering from exposure to the cold and were subsequently transported by ambulance to a local hospital. During the rescue efforts, one SAR member received minor injuries that required later treatment at a local Urgent Care facility. The rescue efforts to locate the remaining members of the Sierra Club were suspended to the following morning.

On Monday morning, 03/21/2011, the Sheriff’s helicopter launched at 6:45 AM, in hopes of locating the remaining members of the Sierra Club. A second group of Sierra Club members were found in the Middle Lions Camp area. These individuals were also unable to cross the water crossings that had swollen to dangerous levels due to the storm. The helicopter crew was able to land and load (9) nine individuals onto the helicopter, and then flew them out of danger and back to their cars. No injuries were reported in this second group. The Sheriff’s Helicopter then located the last group of Sierra Club members in the area of Middle Matillija. This group was also trapped by the swollen water crossings. The helicopter crew was not able to land, therefore 100 ft. hoist rescues had to be performed on each one of these (6) six individuals. The Sheriff’s Aviation Unit was then able to determine that all of the missing Sierra Club members were accounted for.

In total, (19) nineteen Sierra Club members were rescued, requiring over 239 man-hours and 3.6 helicopter hours. The rescued Sierra Club members are as follows:

Name Age City of Residence
Teresa Norris 56 Fillmore
Eileen Crump 53 Fillmore
Annette Klaus 55 Ventura
Panuakdet Suwannatat 28 Goleta
Pam Rochell 49 Santa Barbara
Irene Rauschember 60 Oxnard
Marc Hertz 65 Van Nuys
Todd Glasspoole 32 Ventura
Lenore Carletom 56 Ventura
Suzanne Tanaka 56 Ventura
Cara Peden 30 Ventura
Steve George 49 Ventura
Barbara Poitras 58 Ventura
Catherine Rossbach 62 Ventura
Alisse Fisher 51 Oxnard
Karen Vokmer 44 Ventura
Hannah Somers 22 Oxnard
Derek Brumfield 34 Goleta
Glenn Newton 51 Moorpark

In addition to the rescue of the Sierra Club, on Monday morning, 03/21/2011, the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit responded to the Willet Hot Springs area of the Los Padres Forest on two separate reports of additional missing hikers – one group of five men out of Orange County was reported missing, as well as another group of two men and a dog out of the City of Ojai. The Sheriff’s helicopter responded to the location and discovered the missing groups and performed the rescues without incident.

As storms move through our area, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit would once again like to remind all residents of the dangers that accompany this type of weather.

o Please refrain from entering the backcountry until after the storms have long passed.

o As the local mountains and hillsides reach their saturation points, the chances for flash floods, mudslides, and large amounts of storm run-off in the local drainage channels increases dramatically.

o Always notify a friend or loved one of your plans and location when entering the wilderness. If you deviate from your hiking plan, be advised that if no one knows where you are it is going to seriously delay emergency response in the event you need help.

o Do not attempt to cross moving water - either on foot or in vehicles. Normally shallow water crossings become very hazardous during heavy rains as the water flows increase suddenly and without warning.

o The increased water flows in the local drainage channels can be very attractive and luring to children and young adults. A simple slip and fall into this fast moving water often proves to be fatal, even to the best of swimmers. Please ensure that your children are admonished on the dangers of the fast moving water and told not enter any of these areas.

o Increased surf activity at the local beaches is another hazard that draws people to the shoreline to view the large waves and heavy surf. Please do not enter the water or venture out onto the jetties or rocks along the local beaches. Large waves are unpredictable and past incidents have taught us that getting washed into the heavy surf often proves to be fatal, even to the best of swimmers.

o Please report any dangerous activity on or around waterways and beaches over the upcoming days. Prevention and early detection is key to avoiding tragedies

Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: 03/20/2011 - 03/21/2011
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit
Officer Preparing Release: Captain Dave Kenney / Sheriff’s Aviation Unit
Follow-up Contact: Sheriff’s Aviation - S.A.R. Unit (805) 388-4212
Date of Release: 03/21/2011

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service (NOAA)

Event: Flash Flood Watch Target Area: Ventura County Coastal Valleys Ventura County Interior Valley

Alert: ...FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS POSSIBLE FOR THE RECENT BURN AREAS... .A STRONG LATE SEASON STORM SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO BRING HEAVY RAIN TO SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL WILL OCCUR OVER LOS ANGELES COUNTY THROUGH THIS EVENING. HOWEVER...WIDESPREAD SHOWER ACTIVITY WILL CONTINUE ACROSS VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTIES THIS EVENING. IN ADDITION...THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA. RAINFALL RATES BETWEEN THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH PER HOUR AND AN INCH AND A HALF PER HOUR WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE RECENT BURN AREAS. THESE RAINFALL RATES WOULD EXCEED USGS THRESHOLDS DETERMINED SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS IN AND DOWNSTREAM OF THE RECENT BURN AREAS. THEREFORE... FLASH FLOOD WATCHES REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE RECENT BURN AREAS. ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PDT MONDAY... THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR * THE GUIBERSON BURN AREA * THROUGH LATE TONIGHT * RAINFALL RATES OF THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH PER HOUR AND AN INCH AND A HALF PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE. * FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOW WILL BE A THREAT IN AND BELOW THE RECENT BURN AREAS. Instructions: A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. RESIDENTS IN OR BELOW THE RECENTLY BURNED AREAS ARE URGED TO TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY. PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD REMAIN ALERT AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OFFICIALS.

County of Ventura, California

The Ventura County Emergency Planning Council Executive Leadership has requested a special meeting of the Emergency Planning Council to discuss the Ventura County Operational Area response to the 9.0 Honshu Earthquake.

Date: Monday, March 21, 2011
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Ventura County Public Health, Administrative Conference Room #200,
2240 East Gonzales Boulevard, Oxnard, CA

Items to be discussed will include inter-agency coordination, public information, and response planning. This meeting is open to the public and the media.

Members of the Ventura County Emergency Planning Council include: Supervisor Linda Parks (Ventura County Board of Supervisors, District 2), Sheriff Geoff Dean (Ventura County Sheriff’s Department), Laura Hernandez (Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services), Chief Bob Roper (Ventura County Fire Department), Marty Robinson (Ventura County Executive Office), Mike Powers (Ventura County Health Care Agency), Ed Sotelo (City of Oxnard), James McGee (American Red Cross of Ventura County), Jeff Pratt (Ventura County Public Works Director), Captain James McHugh (Naval Base Ventura County), Connie Hall (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), Chief Kevin Rennie (City of Ventura Fire Department), Dr. Dick Rush (California State University Channel Islands), Bill Buratto (Ventura County Economic Development Agency), Barry Fisher (Ventura County Public Health Department), Paul Grossgold (Ventura County General Services Agency), and Chief Mike Lewis (City of Simi Valley Police Department).

Administrator Preparing Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655
Follow-up Contact: Laura Hernandez, OES Manager (805) 654-2552

Ventura County Department of Public Health

Ventura, CA. - Many people on the West Coast of the United States are concerned about the risk that faces us from the radiation being released from damaged Japanese nuclear reactors. The United States is familiar with monitoring and responding to distant source releases of radioactive materials. Such releases occurred frequently throughout the 20th century beginning in the 1950s with the testing of nuclear weapons by countries throughout the world.

The Ventura County Department of Public Health exists to promote the safety of all of our county’s residents. This is our highest priority. We have well-established mechanisms in place to stay informed by the state and federal agencies responsible for monitoring radiation levels across the West Coast.

We want to emphasize that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have all stated that there is no risk expected to California or its residents as a result of the situation in Japan.

We will continue to monitor the situation in Japan and will take all available steps necessary to protect our county’s residents. If we become aware of a radiation threat to our county’s residents we will recommend protective actions.

We urge our county’s residents not to take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure. It is not necessary given the current circumstances in Japan. It can be harmful to people with allergies to iodine or shellfish and to people who have thyroid problems. Taken inappropriately, it can have serious side effects including abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

Ventura County residents with questions about radiation exposure can contact the California Department of Public Health's Emergency Operations information line at 916 341-3947.

The Chevy vehicle you might have the opportunity to win.
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President David Lugo throws shirts to the Little League players during Saturday’s Opening Ceremonies.
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Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley Since 1929 Steps up to the Plate for Fillmore Little League as Part of National Chevy Youth Baseball Program Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of heritage Valley since 1929 to provide Fillmore Little League with new equipment, monetary donation, instructional clinics; additional funds via Chevy Vehicle Giveaway.

Fillmore, February 7, 2011 – Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is supporting the Fillmore community through a partnership with Fillmore Little League. The dealership will provide baseball equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 in founds through a Chevy vehicle giveaway-fundraiser. The effort by Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is part of the Chevy Youth Baseball initiative being rolled out across the nation from March through July 2011.

“Baseball is a great American past-time and Chevrolet is proud to have a longstanding history with the tradition on a national level. Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is bringing that level of commitment for youth baseball to the Fillmore community, where our customers and their families live,” said Chap Morris, Title for Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929. “Our youth baseball program in Fillmore is truly cherished and we are happy and excited to support the kids in a significant way.”

Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 will present the Fillmore Little League with equipment kits complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, dry-erase coach’s clipboards and Chevy Youth Baseball t-shirts. The sponsorship includes clinics with experienced instructors from former MLB/MiLB players and coaches or the Ripken Baseball professional staff.

In addition, a one-time monetary donation check will be presented by Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 to Fillmore Little League. The team also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds for their use as part of a Chevy Youth Baseball Fundraiser. Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fundraiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation and the league will keep 100 percent of proceeds raised. At the end of the fundraiser, there will be five winners of a Chevy Equinox or Chevy Cruze vehicle of choice (up to $30,000 in value), and in each participating market there will be a secondary prize of a home entertainment center valued at $1,000.

Chevrolet is recognized on the national level as the “Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball.” “Chevrolet vehicles are made for families and we hope the kids or their parents will consider a Chevrolet as an official vehicle of their household,” said Morris.

Chevrolet has expanded its support of MLB to the youth baseball players in communities across the country through the Chevy Youth Baseball program. The Chevy Youth Baseball program began in Atlanta in 2006. In 2010, more than 980 Chevrolet dealers participated in Chevy Youth Baseball and helped raise more than $3 million for youth baseball programs across the USA. Now going into its sixth year, more than $10 million has been contributed to youth baseball in the communities where Chevrolet’s customers live, work and play. Currently 1,423 Chevrolet dealers are participating in this national program.

For more information about Chevy Youth Baseball, please visit Wm. L. Morris Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929.