Flash Flood Warning For Butte Fire Burn Area

Calaveras County Sheriff's Office

San Andreas, CA — A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for the Butte Fire burn area in Calaveras and Amador Counties, until 6am.

The information below was released early this morning by the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, via the National Weather Service:

At 11:54 pm Doppler radar indicated a band of very heavy rain moving into the Butte fire burn scar. Flash flood and debris flows are likely to begin in the next hour. Anyone living or traveling on roads in the Butte fire burn area along Jesus Maria creek and the Calaveras river especially from Whiskey Slide to Highway 26 should be alert for probable road problems due to flooding, rock and debris flows.
Additional areas of concern include Railroad Flat Rd, Mountain Ranch Rd, and the connecting smaller roads within the Butte fire burn area. Large portions of the area have been severely burned. These areas no longer absorb any rainfall, which can lead to enhanced runoff and possibly debris flows.

Precautionary/Preparedness actions:

This is a dangerous situation. If you observe movement of soils, debris, or large amounts of water you should move to higher ground immediately. Residents, contractors, and persons traveling or working within the Butte fire burn area need to be alert for the potential of mud and debris flows. These flows could impact area roadways and hill sides, damage homes, and could block local streams and creeks. Do not try to cross flooded roadways or creeks. A debris flow of only a few inches deep can be powerful enough to move a vehicle off the road.

Instructions:

A flash flood warning for a burn area means that flash flooding, debris flows and/or rock slides are likely or already occurring if you are in or near the warned area, you should seek a safe location immediately. Your life may depend on how quickly you react.