LAKEPORT >> Acting as Director of Emergency Services, Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin issued a declaration of a local emergency on Wednesday in response to flooding and widespread storm damage. The announcement came as wind, rain and a little hail pelted the sodden county.
“There have been reports of homes being flooded as well as landslides, downed utility lines, fallen trees, and other serious damage to the county,” said Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Steve Brooks in a statement issued yesterday afternoon.
The declaration of a local emergency is important when ordering special services and supplies relevant to disaster relief efforts. It followed a collection of public notices sent Tuesday night as expected storms began to really test lakeside property and structures.
Clear Lake reached 10.55 on the Rumsey gauge yesterday morning, well above the 9.0 flood level, but still below 11 feet, which marks a point of severe flooding. However, the lake is expected to rise as runoff continues.
National Weather Service forecasts call for a short breakage in the stormy weather, continuing through Friday. This may allow the lake to level off, but another storm system is on the way. The NWS monitoring station in Clearlake predicts heavier rains to return Saturday night.
“They expect the lake to crest later today,” said Brooks on Wednesday. “We’re watching the water with the other agencies like the fire departments.”
These high levels spilled into many lakeside homes, forcing many residents to evacuate. The Lake County Water District warned residents that this standing water could very well contain traces of sewage, as the lake is backing up many septic systems and storm drains in the area.
As a result, Lakeport Police this week issued a mandatory evacuation of low-lying Lakeport residential areas, specifically Lucky Four Trailer Resort, Aqua Village Mobile Home Park, Willow Point Resort and Esplanade Street from Main Street to K Street.
The LCSO also sent out notices encouraging residents in Big Valley Rancheria, Clearlake Oaks and the surrounding areas to gather important documents, medications and pets and evacuate to higher ground.
A temporary shelter opened at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Lakeport for evacuees; many have already taken advantage of the shelter for meals and cots for overnight usage while sorting out flooded homes.
The Lakeport Police Department issued a statement warning that “non-residents found entering a closed emergency area are subject to a misdemeanor arrest. This includes the mandatory evacuation areas and Library Park.”
LPD decided to patrol the area as residents began to worry about the belongings in their evacuated homes. The report claims officers will patrol evacuated areas to watch for any suspicious activity, though Brooks said the Sheriff’s Office has received no notice of looting or any other burglary in affected areas.
Naturally, the rains and erosion have led to yet more road closures due to flooding, mudslides, and downed trees and powerlines.
Lakeport Police closed down Giselman Street from Sayer Street to Lakeshore Boulevard, Lakeshore Boulevard from Lange Street to Green Street, and nearly every roadway leading from Main Street to Esplanade Street, which is covered by over a foot of water.
Hillcrest Street also closed between Green and Loch Streets due to a downed powerline. The incident marks only one of a few power-line related incidents in Lake County. According to Pacific Gas & Electric, the downed pole left 24 customers without power. Another power line near Cobb also took damage as well as one in Clearlake Oaks, though the combined incidents affected fewer than ten customers.
The Sheriff’s Declaration of Emergency has been forwarded to the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for consideration by the Director of Emergency Services.
A car plows through water on Royale Ave. in Lakeport on Wednesday as ducks look on from a flooded flower bed. Part of Royale Ave. is closed to traffic, along with several other streets around the lake.
A pick up truck tries to navigate on Esplanade St. in Lakeport, where residents have been evacuated.
A man documents the flooding.
With waterlogged soil causing trees to topple, a Lakeport resident cuts limbs above his house.
