South East Sutter County Basin Feather River Flood Stages
River level measured at Nicolaus.
BELOW 42.6' Planning & Preparation Phase:
Planning and preparing for an emergency. The river has flowed over the banks of the
main channel, and government assumes a readiness condition without formally alerting
the general public.
ABOVE 42.6' Ready for Action Phase:
All those in the area should be ready for an Advisory Evacuation Notice or Mandatory
Evacuation Order to be given at any time.
ABOVE 46.4' Emergency Phase:
At this point, the likelihood of a Mandatory Evacuation of the basin becomes much
greater. A Mandatory Evacuation will probably be called in the near future, and there
will be little or no time for individuals or business owners to take further
protective actions. It is crucial for persons to pay close attention to emergency
information provided by the County and City and be ready for evacuation at a moments
notice.
There are numerous factors that contribute to the flood danger present at any given
time. For example, factors that contribute to the river level, the length of time the
water has been on the levee, the number of times water has been on the levee in the
season, the forecasted weather, the forecasted river crest, the releases from the
upstream dams, the time of day, and the number of people to evacuate are all
considered before an evacuation is ordered. There is no way to pre-determine how all
the factors will combine in any given storm or rainy season to provide hard and fast
levels for evacuation. Be assured that evacuation decisions are always seriously
considered and evacuation orders are only issued when absolutely necessary.
ADVISORY EVACUATION:
An Advisory Evacuation Notice is issued when conditions exist which indicate a
Mandatory Evacuation order may be given in the near future. The threat to lives is
not yet imminent, but due to the potential for rapidly changing conditions to develop
into a serious threat, the public is advised to prepare for the issue of a Mandatory
Evacuation order.
Residents are advised to leave the area. (Those with special evacuation needs, such
as care facilities or those with special transportation needs are particularly
encouraged to leave as soon as possible after the Advisory Evacuation is issued.)
Businesses are advised to take whatever precautions they deem necessary for protecting
equipment and / or inventory. Access to the area under an Advisory Evacuation is
unrestricted.
Advisory Evacuations may also be issued when a Mandatory Evacuation order has been
lifted in an area but the conditions in the area remain subject to rapid change and
could again become serious.
MANDATORY EVACUATION:
A Mandatory Evacuation is ordered when conditions exist that seriously imperil or
endanger the lives of those in a defined area. The danger is imminent.
All non-essential persons are ordered to immediately leave the area via the described
evacuation routes. Generally, residents will not be forcibly removed from their own
property; however, those found to be on the property of another, or on a public roadway,
may be subject to arrest or removal from the area.
Once out of the area, people (including residents) will not be permitted to return until
conditions permit. Any non-essential persons found by officials traveling through, or
loitering in, the area will be escorted out and not permitted to re-enter the area. Those
interfering with the disaster response are subject to arrest.
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