UPDATE: Wednesday, 2/13, 11:30 a.m. -- The Shasta County Sheriff's Office has declared a local state of emergency due to the snow storm.
In a press release, the office wrote that the weather is "calling for several days of high winds and heavy rains. Combined with the snow fall, there is a high potential for localized flooding and more damage."
It added: "It is advised to prepare for several days of power outages, limited public services and extended emergency response times."
ORIGINAL POST: A blanket of snow in Redding spurred a wave of power outages across the city that's still recuperating from last year’s wildfire.
About 30,000 customers of the Redding Electric Utility were without power early Thursday morning. That number decreased to 16,000 customers by 10 a.m.
The utility said through Twitter that it has requested mutual aid from other public utilities that provided aid during the Carr Fire in July. That wildfire caused extensive damage to Redding’s power system and destroyed about 1,600 homes and buildings.
We have multiple lines down due to the snow. Our Power Plant has tripped off line. We are working hard to systematically remove fallen trees and make repairs. We believe that half of our 45,000 customers may be without power. No estimated restoration times.
— Redding Electric Utility - REU (@ReddingElectric) February 13, 2019
We are requesting mutual aid from our #PublicPower friends who helped us during the #StrongerThanCarr Fire. There is major damage to our system. Please prepare for more trees to fall as the snow turns to rain and watch for flooding. Do not approach downed power lines. #BeSafe
— Redding Electric Utility - REU (@ReddingElectric) February 13, 2019
“Please prepare for more trees to fall as the snow turns to rain and watch for flooding,” the utility wrote. “Do not approach downed power lines.”
The National Weather Service says Redding got about 10 to 13 inches of snow, but snowfall is expected to slow throughout the day.
“The snow has just about wrapped up there,” Corey Mueller with the NWS Sacramento office said. “We’re currently seeing a lull in precipitation.”
He added that Redding will likely get more rain and showers later in the day and through the weekend. This has triggered a flood watch for the area until Thursday afternoon. Mueller said the flood watch is not associated with burned hillsides from the Carr Fire.
“This is a little different from what you’ve seen in the past with a flash flood watch for burn scars,” he said. “This is because we’re seeing some roadway and stream flooding, and that’s just because the wet ground is pretty saturated.”
Meanwhile, Caltrans District 2 is reporting on Twitter that the snow is causing several roadway shutdowns and accidents.
There are numerous highway closures and blockages throughout District 2. If you do not need to travel, please stay off the roadways until weather and road conditions improve. If you must travel, drive slowly and carefully. QuickMap:https://t.co/7eTKYu0HG6
— Caltrans District 2 (@CaltransD2) February 13, 2019
“There are numerous highway closures and blockages throughout District 2,” it wrote. “If you do not need to travel, please stay off the roadways until weather and road conditions improve.”
