Madera County Sheriff's Office on Being Prepared for Debris Flows

Details: Last Updated: Friday, 10 March 2023 08:13; Published: Friday, 10 March 2023 08:08

March 10, 2023 - Madera County Sheriff's Office officials report with atmospheric conditions currently in the forecast, the Madera County Office of Emergency Services advises mountain residents, particularly those in burn scar areas, to be prepared for potential debris flow/landslide activity.

Though the National Weather Service does not anticipate any triggered mudflows in our area, it’s better to be prepared!

A debris flow occurs when masses of rock, mud and other debris move down a slope. When a wildfire burns a slope, it increases the chance of debris flow/landslides for several years.

Just a few minutes of intense rain can start a debris flow. Even if it's not raining, or only sprinkling where you live, it is the rain in the mountains that will start the debris flow.

Debris flows move fast! If you wait to see if a debris flow is coming your way, it will be too late to leave safely. You cannot outrun a debris flow.

If you must shelter in place, choose your spot in advance and stay alert:

• Find the highest point nearby (such as a second story room or the roof) and be ready to get there at a moment’s notice. Listen and watch for rushing water, mud, and unusual sounds. Survivors describe sounds of cracking, breaking, roaring, or a freight train in advance of a debris flow.

• Avoid sleeping in lower-floor bedrooms on the sides of houses that face slopes. Debris flows can bury people sleeping in lower-floor bedrooms adjacent to hazardous slopes.

Never underestimate a debris flow

• Debris flows can start in places they’ve never been before. They can leave stream channels and plow through neighborhoods. When a debris flow is small, people can control it with walls, k-rails, sandbags. When a debris flow is big enough, nothing can stop it.

Watch for new springs or seeps and excess surface erosion on slopes on and around your property.

For more information on how to prepare, visit https://www.ready.gov/landslides-debris-flow

a. Go to www.mcalert.org to sign up for emergency alerts for your location

b. Text your zip code to 888777 to sign up for alerts in your town

For current forecast information, visit https://www.weather.gov/hnx/

Madera County Storm Resources can be found at ReadyMadera.com

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Source: Madera County Sheriff's Office

Madera County Sheriff's Office on Being Prepared for Debris Flows

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