Agenda Item Wording:
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Receive a presentation on the City of Visalia’s efforts and response to the Spring 2023 Flood Event to include a summary of the research, planning, and coordination of city staff and the City of Visalia’s unified command position with California Fire (Cal Fire) Incident Management Team 3.
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Deadline for Action: 5/15/2023
Submitting Department: Fire Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Dan Griswold, Fire Chief, 559-713-4220
Department Recommendation:
Receive Spring 2023 Flood Event presentation.
Background Discussion:
Friday, March 10, 2023 marked the first of multiple, significant atmospheric river rain events to impact Visalia and Tulare County over the following couple of weeks. March 10th also marked the start of city staff’s active monitoring and planning for the potential impacts several inches of warm rain, over a short period of time, and added to low elevation snow in the Sierra Nevada foothills, could have on the City of Visalia. On this first Friday, and over this first weekend, staff tracked rainfall amounts in the City of Visalia and in the Sierras and how the downslope flows from rain and added snowmelt were affecting Visalia’s ditches, streams, and the St. John’s River. City staff began actively monitoring these waterways for spots of potential weakness, overflow, and for debris that could be removed.
On Monday, May 13, 2023, the City of Visalia declared a local state of emergency based on the unknown impacts the significant rain and mountain snowmelt would have on Visalia’s waterways. Also on Monday, May 13th, the City of Visalia officially opened the Visalia Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to continue research, planning, and coordination to respond to the effects of record amounts of rainfall and snowfall passing through the City of Visalia.
The critical functions of the EOC were staffed and personnel from every City department were involved in the research and response planning to potential flooding. Staff began tracking the capacity of Kaweah Reservoir, the amount of outflow and inflow from Kaweah Reservoir, and the water flow amounts at key points between the City of Visalia and upper elevations. Flows were monitored from Kaweah Reservoir and at McKay Point, Dry Creek, and Mill Creek so staff could start establishing timelines of how long water from the mountains took to reach the City. Tracking the amounts of flows throughout these first several days of the event also allowed staff to identify what these unprecedented flows looked like in Visalia’s waterways. These benchmarks could then be referenced throughout the event to predict areas of concern and potential trigger points. Other EOC priorities in the first few days were establishing evacuation zones and plans, identifying and coordinating collection points and emergency shelters for evacuated citizens, identifying the vulnerable and high-risk waterways within the City, identifying and planning for critical facilities within the City, and communicating to our citizens through various means the best information available to help them make informed decisions. The aforementioned EOC activities are a sampling of the research and planning that was accomplished. Each task was planned to a level of detail where implementation was the next action.
Outside the City of Visalia, the initial days of the flood event were being managed by a Tulare County Type III incident management team comprised of personnel from many emergency response agencies throughout Tulare County including personnel from the Visalia Fire Department. On Tuesday, March 14th, The City of Visalia and the City of Porterville entered unified command with the Tulare County Type III Team. On Wednesday, March 15th, command of the incident transitioned to California Fire (Cal Fire) Team 3, Type I incident management team and the Cities of Visalia and Porterville remained in unified command with Cal Fire. A Cal Fire Type I team brings a team of numerous trained personnel experienced in managing large scale incidents and brings a large pool of responders and resources for incident support and response. Being in unified command with the Type I team gave the City of Visalia integration and an official role in incident planning and establishing incident priorities. Additionally, the information, resources, and materials were more readily available in the event the City had a request or a need. The Cities of Visalia and Porterville withdrew from unified command on March 24, 2023, after it was determined the conditions locally did not necessitate large scale incident management.
The Spring 2023 Flood Event is an example of one of the more challenging aspects of emergency planning and response, planning for unknown, yet significant potential impacts with incomplete or imperfect information. City Staff used every resource and tool, current and historical, available to interpret, analyze, and make meaningful conclusions for planning. Staff planned for the worst-case scenario so as new forecasts and analysis was received, planning did not have to make a significant adjustment.
Throughout this flood event, City Staff prioritized communicating and updating the community with current information and relevant guidance. The unknown nature of this event presented challenges with what to communicate and when was the appropriate time. The City prioritized being proactive in relaying information determined to be valid and necessary guidance to the community.
The Visalia EOC remained open, however at a deescalated level starting Wednesday, March 22, 2023, due to weather and water flow forecasts being more favorable and stable for the City. The EOC remained set up in the event local conditions dictated a need to reoccupy. City staff continues to monitor the capacity of Kaweah Reservoir, flows passing through the City, and the conditions of the waterways within the City.
The research, communication, and coordination by City staff during the Spring 2023 Flood Event yielded quality analysis to make informed decisions throughout the event. Additionally, cooperation between City staff, utility companies, local water management agencies, and various other entities was effective to ensure all stakeholders were sharing information and confirming the details to plan around. Lastly, staff will archive pertinent research and plans developed during this event and will incorporate necessary lessons and additions into future City EOC training.
Chief Bill See of Cal Fire and the Incident Commander of Team 3, Type I incident management team, will be present to give an overview of the flood impact and response countywide and the interagency cooperation management of the incident.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Prior Council Action: At the Monday, March 20, 2023 regular city council meeting, City Council ratified the declaration of local emergency proclaimed on Monday, March 13, 2023.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No motion required.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: 2023 Spring Flood Event Presentation