County agency to host virtual meeting on post-wildfire flood preparedness
(Image: The LNU Lightning Complex wildfire burns along a portion of Highway 128 in Solano County on August 19, 2020. File photo by Matthew Keys/Solano NewsNet)
The Solano County Water Agency will be hosting a virtual town hall on post-wildfire flood preparedness this week.
The virtual town hall will discuss what homeowners and businesses should do to prepare for the potential of flooding after significant fires like last year’s LNU Lightning Complex wildfire that tore through portions of rural Solano County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency says burn scars are especially susceptible to post-wildfire flooding because the absence of healthy vegetation can result in hardened soil.
“The soil itself can be left with a hardened crust, almost acting like concrete when redirecting water,” FEMA says. “These conditions can turn what would normally have been a simple thunderstorm into a flash flood event. These events can come with very little warning.”
In addition to problematic soil, debris slides are possible in areas where burned vegetation remains.
“These mudflows can inflict a great deal of damage to your home and property,” FEMA says.
On Thursday, officials from Solano County agencies will provide homeowners and businesses in fire-prone areas with tips on how to prepare for the possibility of post-wildfire floods. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and takes place via Zoom, a free application for computers, smartphones and tablets.
To attend the Zoom meeting, click or tap here. Individuals who want to attend the meeting but don’t want to use Zoom can also call into the town with the following credentials:
Zoom conference phone number: 1-669-900-6833
Webinar ID: 828 1110 6448
Passcode: 277436
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