As California Recovers From Drought, State Officials Readying Flood Protection Plan
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Gov. Jerry Brown issued a new action plan on water, planning for potential flooding as the state is still in the depths of its drought.
As the state grapples with the threat of more rain from an El Nino weather pattern, Herman Phillips is stocked up with enough flood supplies for the entire state—3 million sandbags and massive containers ready to be shipped off.
He's a flood-fighting specialist with the state's Department of Water Resources. he's dealt with every flood in the state since the 1970s. So far, he says Mother Nature has been kind.
"It didn't dump everything on us at once—a day of rain a day of sunshine," he said.
He's prepared to dispatch at least 1,500 flood responders statewide—an increase of 700 from last year. The trained teams are charged with filling sandbags, controlling and inspecting levees and protecting against burn-scar erosion.
The state has inspected 1,600 miles of levees set to guard against heavy rain.
"Your emergency response is only gonna be as good as your trained personnel," said John Paasch, the chief of flood operations.
While the state is still locked in a drought, flooding is still possible, and men like Phillips say it's boots on the ground that save the most property and lives.
"Mother Nature can be unforgiving, but as much as we can we want to be ready," he said.
