Oak Glen/Forest Falls Emergency Response

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The El Dorado and Apple Fires occurred in September 2020 burning up the south side of Yucaipa Ridge above the communities of Oak Glen, and the North Bench area of Yucaipa. It crested Yucaipa Ridge and also burned on the north slope towards the communities of Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, and Angelus Oaks. The County of San Bernardino proactively developed a post action Taskforce to develop a multi-agency approach to the flood potential that was identified by analysis of the post-fire watershed. The Implementation/Response Emergency program was put to the test on September 12, 2022, with a severe mudflow that occurred in the Oak Glen and Forest Falls communities. The implementation/response program consisted of the following: The County monitors incoming storms and initiates multi-agency coordination calls to discuss potential impacts and activation levels for each storm. The Flood Control District (FCD) installed cameras at critical locations of its Flood Control facilities and monitors the locations as the storm is underway. Pre-staged barricades, equipment, public messaging, and evacuation orders were initiated as needed. During the intense storm in September 2022, significant mud flows and debris were observed in the Flood Control channels at road crossings and roads were immediately closed for the protection of the public. This mudflow (approximately 80,000 C.Y.) filled the channels capacities in unmaintained sections and broke out causing a loss of properties. After the storm ended, the FCD forces immediately worked to clear its maintained portions of the channels, clear roads, and prepared for public meetings to provide residents with a one-stop location for resources such as property insurance, FEMA grants, NRCS programs, local/state/federal elected officials, County departments (Building and Safety, Public Works (DPW), Solid Waste), and numerous others. The County submitted for and received a variety of grants for long-term evaluation of the watershed and identification of long-term solutions to control potential mudflows as well as receiving grants for immediate mitigation measures such as installing K-rail barrier protection for private properties, mud removal in private properties and clearing of non-maintained portions of the channels. In addition, the County secured sites for private properties to take flood debris to as well as provided dumpsters for community debris.