Be Prepared For the Waters to Rise

City officials do not expect the rains forecast for the weekend of Dec. 18 to cause flooding, but they are urging businesses and residents to go to the City of Martinez website for sandbag locations and tips on how to prepare in case the waters rise.

The last time Alhambra Creek ran over its banks was 2005. Since then, despite beavers and bad weather, creek improvements have kept the waters at bay. But a series of storms are forecast for the Bay Area beginning today, and officials are keeping a wary eye on the skies.

"We don't anticipate any major flooding," said city engineer Tim Tucker. He said the city works with the Contra Costa County Flood Control District, which has a computerized chart to forecast rainfall, tides and flood conditions. So far, he said, Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 18 and 19) don't pose a flood threat.

"We expect four inches of rain this weekend," Tucker said. "If we get high intensity storms during the next week or so, we could be primed for flooding. So we always encourage people to be prepared."

For homes and businesses that have flooded in the past, that includes getting sandbags to reroute flood water. Free sandbags are available at various sandbag stations throughout the city. It also means cleaning out rain gutters and making sure there are working flashlights close by, in case power goes out.

The city has done its due diligence, said Public Works Director Dave Scola.

"We've cleaned out ditches and gutters that have a history of getting clogged," he said. "The system will handle a lot of water, as long as it doesn't get plugged up."

And his take on the possibility of the present storm creating a flood in Alhambra Creek?

"The first one is not the bad one," Scola said.