Chief Skeels said three of the screening rooms of the seven complex theater were flooded when the east side of the building experienced water buildup from plugged outside drains. “There are emergency exits in the screening rooms, and where they open up to the sidewalks and the grade below the drains were plugged, backing up into the rooms. That required some wet, dirty activity to get them unplugged and get the water out.”One house on the 800 block of Railroad Avenue required fire department response when a portion of the kitchen ceiling threatened to collapse from water leaking into the structure. Firefighters cut a small hole in the ceiling to release the water.The wind storm of recent weeks also complicated matters by clogging gutters and downspouts. Even the fire department’s Station 1 and Station2 had leakage problems, said Chief Skeels.He cautioned that “It would be very prudent if people with a history of flooding stocked up on sand and sandbags for when the need arises. . .the city does keep a supply for flood rising at the levy, but people should stock up if they know they’re likely to have the need.”Chief Skeels said the bags cost about 40 to 50 cents each and there are “at least two suppliers in town, Rain for Rent and Mayberry Masonry, that carry them. . .so we would encourage people with a history of flooding, or those whose houses are sitting low relative to the grade,” obtain sandbags and sand. “When rainy season approaches, go out and buy some sandbags so instantly you can be proactive when the rain is coming.”
Storm dumps rain on Santa Paula
January 12, 2001
Santa Paula News
The sun was shining Thursday morning, making the massive storm that dumped about seven inches of rain in the Santa Clara River Valley - a deluge not experienced in years - a wet memory.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe sun was shining Thursday morning, making the massive storm that dumped about seven inches of rain in the Santa Clara River Valley - a deluge not experienced in years - a wet memory.A flash flood alert for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties was activated at about 9 p.m. - when about five inches of rain had fallen on Santa Paula since noon when the storm started - and continued until shortly after midnight.Although the water in city streets was running over curbs, the night had few emergencies.“We didn’t have too many calls,” although there were “lots and lots of requests for sandbags,” said Santa Paula Fire Department Chief Paul Skeels. “. . .we were able to get a few from city yard.”Wallace Theater on the 500 block of West Main Street experienced “significant flooding,” when small leaks in the roof coupled with the larger problem of street flooding created the need for a SPFD emergency response.