California helps local communities prepare for flood emergencies with latest round of funding

Oct. 1, 2024
California announced funding to help agencies across the state prepare for possible flood emergencies.

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is awarding $1.4 million in funding for nine emergency response agencies across the state to increase their ability to respond to flood events.

This funding will help put resources in the hands of local first responders tasked with protecting our communities.

California continues to adapt to an increase in extreme weather, with swings from dry conditions to dangerous flooding. The previous two winters have demonstrated the importance of planning for flood emergencies, especially at the local level.

“DWR works with communities across the state to prepare for flooding, and we know the best way to prepare is to ensure local communities have the resources they need to respond to emergencies,” said DWR Deputy Director of Flood Management and Dam Safety Laura Hollender in a press release. “This funding will help counties, cities, and Tribal partners bolster their response capabilities for the next flooding emergency.” 

These latest grant awards will provide funding to emergency response agencies to replenish and bolster local stockpiles of flood fight materials, such as sandbags and levee-reinforcing muscle-wall, and fund flood planning activities and training exercises.

Award recipients from today’s announcement include: 

  • Blue Lake Rancheria in Humboldt County: $100,800
  • Butte County Office of Emergency Services: $110,250
  • City of Gonzales in Monterey County: $49,875
  • Humbolt County Office of Emergency Services: $189,000
  • Mendocino County: $288,887
  • Monterey Water Resources Agency: $189,000
  • Monterey County Department of Emergency Management: $162,750
  • Reclamation Districts 2091 and 2063 in Stanislaus County: $36,700
  • Sutter County: $262,500

A complete list of these grants and previous grant awards can be found on the Flood Emergency Response Projects Grants webpage. The funding comes from The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 84).