The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) announced on February 4, 2025, that it has prepositioned critical resources due to the threat of heavy rainfall, including swift water rescue teams to respond to any threats near recent burn scar areas.
The rain is expected throughout Northern California with rain forecasted for Southern California. Burn scars from recent wildfires increase the threat of flooding due to lack of vegetation and soil absorption.
Prepositioned swift water rescue teams include:
- 1 Cal OES swift water rescue team (Sacramento County)
- 1 Cal OES swift water rescue team (San Joaquin County)
- 1 Cal OES swift water rescue team (Monterey County)
Additionally, Cal OES has strategically placed fire and rescue personnel and equipment across the state, including:
Los Angeles County:
- 6 OES Engines
- 7 Local Government Engines
- 4 Local Government Dozers
- 1 Local Government Loader
- 2 Local Government Helicopter (With Two Rescue Swimmers)
- 2 Local Government Dispatcher
- 2 Local Government Hand crew
- 1 Local Government Swift Water Rescue Team
- 4 Local Government US&R Rescue Companies
- 1 Local Government Regional Task Force
Humboldt County:
- 4 Local Government Engines
- 1 Local Government Overhead
Lake County:
- 5 Local Government Engines
- 1 Local Government Overhead
Marin County:
- 2 Local Government Engines
- 1 Local Government Swift Water Rescue Team
- 1 Local Government Dispatcher
Napa County:
- 4 Local Government Engines
- 2 Local Government Overhead
Butte County:
- 1 Local Government US&R Rescue Company
- 1 Local Government Dispatcher
Colusa County:
- 4 Local Government Engines
Glenn County:
- 5 Local Government Engines
- 1 Local Government Overhead
Plumas County:
- 4 Local Government Engines
- 1 Local Government Overhead
- 1 Local Government Dispatcher
El Dorado County:
- 6 Local Government Engines
- 1 Local Government Swift Water Rescue Team
- 3 Local Government Overhead
Nevada County:
- 4 Local Government Engines
- 1 Local Government Swift Water Rescue Team
- 6 Local Government Overhead
This event could bring an increased risk of power outages, flooding in small streams and low-lying areas, and debris, rocks and mudslides on roadways.
Cal OES is encouraging residents to reduce injury risks from falling limbs and trees by staying inside, not driving through flooded roadways and preparing in advance for power outages.
Residents in the affected counties are urged to stay informed and listen to local authorities about actions they should take including evacuation orders or safety recommendations. In burn scar areas, officials recommend preparing for possible sudden debris flows by having a go-bag packed and knowing evacuation routes.
