Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

In response to a series of powerful winter storms moving through California this week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today directed his departments and agencies to take action to prepare and respond to the needs of affected Californians. The storms are expected to bring high winds and heavy rain in some areas. Southern California could see three to six inches of rain for coastal and valley areas and as much as 10 inches in some mountain locations. Northern California could see even more rain, with forecasts of 10 to 20 inches of rain for coastal mountains and eight to 15 inches for inland valley and foothills.

"My Administration continues to monitor the situation statewide and they are prepared to support local response efforts and protect the lives and property of Californians," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "We must work together to prepare for and remain safe throughout these storms. I encourage everyone, especially those living around burn areas that have resulted from recent fires, to monitor the latest weather information and follow instructions given by local authorities."

In preparation for the incoming storms, local agencies have taken actions such as prepositioning resources and closing roads ahead of the storms to ensure the safety of residents near the Station Fire burn area in Southern California.

State agencies have also prepared for the potential for weather-related emergencies such as flooding, mudslides and road closures. The following actions have been taken:
• The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) continues to monitor the weather closely and will continue to hold conference calls with key state agencies as major storm events move through the state. Cal EMA is on 24-hour standby to open their Inland Region, Coastal Region and Southern Region emergency operation centers and the state's main coordination facility in Sacramento if needed. Additionally, 13 Cal EMA supported swift water rescue teams stand ready to deploy.
• The Department of Water Resources has pre-positioned flood fighting supplies in Los Alamitos, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Eureka, the Delta, West Sacramento and Sutter.
The California Conservation Corps has at least 50 trained crews to conduct flood control and response efforts and stand ready to assist as needed.
• The California National Guard stands ready to support flood-fighting efforts with personnel and over 20 aircraft if needed.
• Caltrans crews and emergency operations centers around the state are on standby, monitoring the roadways and working closely with Cal EMA and the Federal Highway Administration. Traffic management centers are using changeable message signs and highway advisory radio's to communicate road conditions to the public. The public can call 1-800-427-7623 (1-800-427-ROAD) for updated road conditions.
• CaliforniaVolunteers is in communication with statewide local volunteer centers which are on standby to assist in the coordination of volunteers as local needs arise.
• The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Southern Division has activated it Emergency Operations Center on a limited basis in the event of flooding in burn areas that have resulted from recent fires. Additionally, CHP will be out on the roads to assist motorists and will be stopping dangerous drivers.

Additional preparedness information, including tips on what to do after the storm, is available at www.calema.ca.gov.