As most of us have heard, Arnold the Governor has been lobbying in DC to get some federal support for our flood control system:
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff will visit California to get a first-hand look at the state’s levee system, Gov. Schwarzenegger announced.
Of course, Chertoff wouldn’t commit to a specific time to visit the soggy state. I heard he’s waiting for better weather, because, you know, it’s not worth surveying our flood control systems while we’re being threatened with, like, flooding.
In other flood-related news, the Sacramento Business Journal and the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce are holding a holy-crap-what’ll-happen-if-it-floods breakfast (at $50 a pop but $40 if you register before March 8) at the Hyatt Regency on March 15. We may drown, but not without making sure we’ve partaken of the most important meal of the day.
The Sac Rag 
FYI, Heather Fargo is speaking about the preparedness of the City of Sac on Monday at CSUS. Here’s the notice I got via an email list I’m on:
On Monday, March 6th an event will take place here on the campus that is already generating a lot of interest.
The event: a City of Sacramento and Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency community outreach meeting on the topic of Sacramento area flood preparedness.
Time and Place: 11:30 – 1:00, University Union Ballroom
Background
Over the past several months the City of Sacramento has been holding a series of flood preparedness meetings in various parts of the community. The purpose and intent of the meetings is to inform local residents of flood dangers, educate them about the structure of the levies, and tell people how they can take action to prepare themselves for the eventuality of flooding in the Sacramento area. The meetings have been well covered by the Sacramento Bee.
Because the campus is located next to the American River and lies within the area designated as the secondary flood plain, campus personnel need to be acutely aware of all aspects of flood control planning, levee construction, emergency notification and evacuation procedures. The September catastrophe in New Orleans and the local storms during the recent Christmas – New Year holiday period which doubled the depth of the American River under the H Street Bridge almost overnight remind us that everyone on the campus should be prepared and informed.
Typical of the questions the City and regional authorities will discuss: Is the campus flood ready? Are our levees designed to give us 100-year or 200-year flood protection? What does 100-year protection mean? What about the Folsom Dam? If it were to break, how much warning would we have? How would we be notified if flooding were imminent? Where would we go? How can individuals plan and prepare for flooding?
I am the point of contact for the campus, and initially arranged to have the City hold the meeting on the campus during the noon hour when – it is hoped – many campus faculty, staff, administration and students would be able to attend. The date was established to correlate President Gonzalez’ and Mayor Fargo’s availability. President Gonzalez will welcome City and regional staff, and Mayor Fargo will conduct the balance of the meeting.
I invite you, your colleagues and your students to participate in the community meeting. The last 30 minutes of the meeting will be set aside for Q&A from the audience. It’s been a long time since we welcomed the City of Sacramento to our campus, so we hope the campus will respond with abundant attendance.
Please call me if you have questions regarding this singular event.
Kirtland Stout
Occupational Safety Specialist
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Ext. 87233
Her number off campus is: (916) 278-7233
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