By corissa@calaverasenterprise.com | on March 22, 2023

Oversaturated soils due to recent rain and snow have caused mudslides and damage to homes in West Point, leading to an evacuation warning beginning last week. Courtesy photo/Calaveras Office of Emergency Services

Thirty-four homes near the Middle Fork of the Mokelumne River in West Point received evacuation warnings from the Sheriff’s Office on March 17 due to the threat of potential debris slides.

“Residents that live in the area of Barney Way should be prepared in the event that an evacuation order is given,” a press release from the Calaveras County Office of Emergency Services said. “Although only a warning has been issued, if you feel you are unsafe you are encouraged to evacuate.”

Some homes in that area have already been damaged by debris slides due to oversaturated soils after receiving a higher-than-normal volume of rain and snow this winter.

According to Darren McMillin, county Office of Emergency Services public information officer, five homes have been directly affected by “debris flow,” and two of those homes were damaged. Some of those affected have chosen “alternative housing,” while others are staying put.

Cal Fire crews have prepared the site for more wet weather, placing sandbags along roadways and digging trenches around the compromised area to divert rainfall. Plastic sheeting was also dropped in the area to prevent more erosion of the compromised hillside.

Cal Fire crews prepared for more wet weather by placing sandbags along roadways and digging trenches around the compromised area to divert rainfall. Courtesy photo/Calaveras Office of Emergency Services

McMillin said no new damage had occurred despite more rain over the weekend. “After all the protective measures that were taken with the plastic tarping and sandbags and trenching, it really hasn’t moved,” he said.

The area will continue to be monitored, McMillan said, as more rain and snow accumulations of up to 8 inches was expected for Tuesday through Thursday.

Calaveras County Health and Human Services, in coordination with the American Red Cross, set up emergency shelters for evacuees at the West Point Town Hall and Mokelumne Hill Elementary School. While the shelter at the elementary school closed on Monday afternoon, the shelter at the town hall remained open as of Tuesday afternoon.

While the evacuation order is in effect, small animals such as cats and dogs may be brought to Calaveras County Animal Services, located at 901 Jeff Tuttle Road in San Andreas, and larger animals such as livestock may be brought to the Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp.

The evacuation warning is for an area of West Point near the Middle Fork of the Mokelumne River, where it meets Highway 26, and along Barney Way, including zones E006A, E0031A, and E0033A. An evacuation map can be viewed on the Calaveras County Community Info Center website at bit.ly/3n3T5tH.

Sandbags are available at the following locations: • Arnold Library at 1065 Blagen Road • Glencoe Maintenance Yard at 16151 Highway 26 (Closes at 3:30 p.m.) • Jenny Lind Yard at 11558 Milton Road (Closes at 3:30 p.m.) • San Andreas Road Yard at 891 Mountain Ranch Road (Closes at 3:30 p.m.) • Mountain Ranch Community Center Parking lot next to the Public Safety Substation at 7869 Whiskey Slide Road • Murphys Fire Station at 37 Jones St. • Vista Del Lago cul-de-sac near Valley Springs Dental at 313 Vista Del Lago Drive • Valley Springs Sports and Fitness at 145 Mangili Road • Copperopolis Fire Department at 370 Main St. • Mokelumne Hill Fire Department at 8160 Church St. • West Point Volunteer Fire Department at 195 Spink Road • 200 Monte Verda in Angels Camp (behind the Police Department)

Sandbags are limited to 10 per resident, and residents must bring their own shovels.

County officials are encouraging those who have experienced damages from the winter storms to fill out online damage assessment reporting forms, which can be found at calaverasgov.us/ Calaveras-County/Emergency- Operations.

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