County public works says it's ready for storm

With the rainstorm forecast to continue this week, the County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department is building on preparations that began last summer.

“We’ve been getting ready for storms since the summer – that’s when we start our countywide culvert inspections and cleaning,” said Transportation Division Manager Joshua Roberts. “It’s also when we sent sand to the community service districts. Our goal every year is to be ‘winter ready’ by October.”

The County does not provide sandbags; however, sand is available to the public at the follow locations:

https://www.prepareslo.org/en/resourcesGeneral/Sand-Distribution-Locations-01.2023.pdf

There are currently no county-maintained road closures. To keep up on the latest information, residents can go to:

https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Services/Maps/Road-Closures-and-Delays.aspx

“At present we are cleaning up from the last storm, and are responding to calls for fallen trees, mud, debris, and flooding from over New Year’s weekend,” Roberts said.

Over New Year’s Day weekend, from Friday through Monday, Public Works received 25 calls from the CHP for a variety of road hazards – fallen trees, rock/mud slides, and flooding. Public Works road crews worked through the night New Year’s Eve and into the following afternoon clearing roadways.

For emergencies and road hazards, the public should call 911. The CHP will call Public Works into the situation as appropriate. For routine roads maintenance requests, residents can call Public Works at (805) 781-5252 or submit a request for assistance online at:

https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Contact-Us.aspx

“We have our roads staff standby in anticipation of the coming storm, and we’ve put out signage to mark potential problem areas,” Roberts said. “We’re continuing to inspect and clear culverts where debris might have been washed in from previous rains.”

Public Works Deputy Director Cindy Treichler added, “Our number one priority is to keep the public and road crews safe, so we do like to remind motorists to adjust their driving to stay safe on the road and to please watch out for road crews working throughout the day and night.”

Avoid ocean water contact during and after rainstorms

Rainstorm runoff is known to transport high levels of disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa from the watershed and urban areas to the ocean. Such organisms carried into the ocean can cause skin, respiratory, and intestinal problems. 

Young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to these waterborne pathogens.

Surfers, swimmers and others are advised to avoid contact with ocean water during this period, especially in areas close to creeks, rivers, storm drains and other runoff outlets that empty into the ocean.

For more information and updates, visit www.surfsafeslo.org.