❒ Some flooding reported; drier conditions expected next week

Three squads of Benicia’s maintenance division employees have been patrolling the city during the strong Pacific weather front that has been soaking the city this week, Scott Rovanpera, Water Treatment Plant superintendent, said.

Though the division had received 11 calls from residents reporting flooding between Monday and Tuesday afternoon, no property damage had been identified at that time, he said.

However, the three squads have been clearing storm drains and inlets, and have been checking Benicia’s six “hot spots” that routinely are monitored for potential flooding, Rovanpera said.

“The city recommends that residents clean their rain gutters and downspouts to prevent roof damage, and if they want to take on a civic duty, clean leaves that may be blocking storm drain inlets in front of their homes or businesses,” he said.

To assist residents who might experience flooding, the city has set up sandbag stations at the Corporation Yard, 2400 East Second St., and at the East E Street parking lot at East Second Street, so they can fill sandbags they can use to help protect their property from flooding, he said.

By Wednesday morning, Benicia Fire Station 11, 150 Military West, had reported 1.32 inches of rain, bringing the season total to 4.91 inches.

Fire Station 12, 601 Hastings Drive, reported receiving 0.96 inch of rain by Wednesday morning, and a season total of 4.73 inches.

The Water Treatment Plant at 100 Water Way had 1.27 inches of rain by the same time, for a season total of 4.35 inches.

The National Weather Service said the city has a 40 percent chance of showers today. Most of this will fall before 4 p.m. But the showers should bring less than a tenth of an inch, the service said.

Overnight, the chance of rain drops slightly, to 30 percent, but that is expected to increase to 50 percent by Friday night. The Weather Service said the city has a 20-percent chance of showers Saturday, with the sun finally breaking through the clouds.

Sunday is expected to be dry, with a slight chance of rain returning Monday and Tuesday.

Local flooding concerns are being reduced as the week continues, starting today, Rovanpera said. “The current storm is passing over the Bay Area and drier weather is forecast,” he said.

More precipitation has fallen in the past four days than reached the Bay Area during the entire rainy season of last year. Several North Bay coastal cities experienced severe flooding, with some parking lots resembling ponds Wednesday morning when the rains combined with high tides.

Deep water, mudslides and rock falls impeded traffic. In Mill Valley, city officials begged commuters to stay home.

Southern California wasn’t immune, either. Areas that had been charred by forest fires also were in danger of mudslides, and in several places residents were told to evacuate.

But the wet weather doesn’t mean the drought has ended, Rovanpera stressed.

“Even though it is a welcome relief to see precipitation in early December, the city will continue to remind its residents that we are suffering through a serious drought and that water conservation and outdoor water restriction measures are still in effect,” he said.

Other weather observers agree, saying that an inch of rainfall removes just 3 percent of the area’s water deficit, caused in part by three years of drought in the Sierra Nevada snowpack that supplies the state with much of its water.

“We are hoping that all residents shut off their outdoor irrigation systems for the winter, as this will further conserve our precious water supply,” Rovanpera said.

He said the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) reports that the largest reservoirs in California are only 25 percent full. They could take years to refill, he said.

Lake Berryessa is in better shape, about half full, according to David B. Okita, general manager of the Solano County Water Agency.

“During each winter, DWR staff measure snow depths in the Sierra Mountains to determine how much water can be allocated to urban, agricultural and environmental purposes,” Rovanpera said. “DWR staff is encouraged by the early rain and snowfall in the Sierras, and is tentatively projecting a 10-percent allocation of State Water Project for January 2015.”

Normally, Benicia receives 85 percent of its water from the State Water Project, he said. This year, however, the city received from zero to 5 percent of its allocation, which has to be bought and reserved in advance.

To keep providing residents with water, the City Council authorized spending up to $900,000 on water purchases, imposed water restrictions and added a drought surcharge to water bills.

Rovanpera said Benicia should learn its 2015 allocations in April.

“As for capturing rainfall for future outdoor watering, home improvement centers sell 55-gallon barrels and downspout adapters,” he said. “Any water collected from rain gutters is not treated, and should only be used for watering plants or (for) nonpotable uses.”

He referred those interested in emergency notifications and water conservation tips to the city of Benicia’s web page, www.ci.benicia.ca.us, and said residents also may call 707-746-4240.