Calif. Gov. Declares State Of Emergency

[AGENDA21]

(AP) SAN FRANCISCO Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Monday in seven northern and central California counties, saying the region's rainiest March on record and more rain on the horizon put people and property in "extreme peril."

Many reservoirs in California's Central Valley are groaning at full capacity, and at least 10 more days of rain are forecast for the region.

Levee repairs are typically done in the summer, when water behind them is at its low point, but state water officials fear the heavy rain could weaken some levees to the point of failure. They took advantage of a weekend lull in the storms to patch some weak spots in the system but were still concerned.

"We saw in New Orleans the storm was coming in, it was known days ahead, and we're not sure they took all the steps that they could have," said Rodney Mayer, acting chief of the California division of flood management.

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/topstories_story_100162853.html

[Ecumenist]

1. I live in the central valley, albeit up north of these areas

BUT I have been told that we here in the Sacramento Valley, Sacramento county in particular, are in trouble too. I drove the Garden Highway yesterday and the Sacramento River is within 6-8 feel of the top of the levees. In this area, there are 3 Major rivers.. The American, the Consumnes and the Sacramento. ALL OF THESE RIVERS ARE FLOODING SOMEWHERE ALONG THEIR LENGTHS. I live within 5 miles of the American AND the Sacramento. This is Scarey.

[benburch]

3. Climate change.

The coastal rain forest zone might be moving south semi-permanently.

[Ecumenist]

8. Oh my god, Benburch

That's EXACTLY what I've been saying. Our mediterranean climate may be changing to something a bit more wet, (well ALOT more wet). This is the kind of weather is usually the kind we get in december, january and february. The only saving grace, if there is such a thing, is the fact that we are still getting the majority of the precip in the mountains in the form of rain. It's going to get real fun when the weather warms with the spring thaw.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. Maybe you should leave before you can't get out?

If he's called for a State of Emergency it must be pretty serious.:scared:

[Ecumenist]

7. Where am I going to go?

The Entire length of this valley and 2/3rds of california is having this kind of deluge. Besides, there's work and the money necessary to try to find something to stay in.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Well, I hope you stay safe then. Best of luck to you and yours.

:hi:

[Ecumenist]

12. Thanks.... We're already formulating a plan

just in case.

[benburch]

2. Good for him.

Sounds like he is dealing with this appropriately.

[Ecumenist]

9. Trust me, it has just become inmportant to that musclebound moron

since his approval numbers have gone into the sewers. He wasn't worried about this in the novenber special elcetion when he got he ass handed to him a a silver plate.

[pinto]

5. Good move, coupled with Feb.'s state of emerg. for levee system

It's a realistic step, imo, regardless of the politics that may seem to be involved (the Delta/San Joaquin are a string of Repub counties).

Given the amount of water on the ground now, with the storms predicted for this week and the upcoming snowpack melt out of the Sierra...it looks to be trouble for water courses from the Delta down through the Valley.

[Ecumenist]

10. Tell me about it

I'm in the county just north of the San Joaquin county. As I said earlier, we have 3 rivers in Sacramento County. When things warm up and the snow starts to melt in earnest, it's going to get really exciting.

[goclark]

6. Stay safe!