Arnold, CA…Calaveras County Sheriff Rachelle Whiting attended a community driven town hall style meeting at the Independence Hall in White Pines. The Sheriff, along with EPFD Fire Chief Mike Johnson, District 3 Board of Supervisor Martin Huberty, and several other local agency representatives discussed the importance of winter preparedness as we progress further into the colder months.

We usually get advanced notice from meteorologists’ predictions regarding the timing, duration, strength, and potential impacts of winter storms. We encourage our community to stay informed of potential weather impacts and take the time to prepare. This equates to being familiar with local programs and resources to meet needs, or by stocking up on food, fuel for generators, firewood (or other alternative heat sources), etc., or whatever else is needed to sustain residents and visitors for several days in the event of prolonged power outages. Here are a couple of other tips that we shared with those in attendance at the meeting:

Let’s talk about driving. If chain controls are in effect, please carry and adhere to requirements regarding tire chains or traction control devices on certain vehicles in designated snowy and icy mountain areas due to hazardous road conditions. Speed and loss of traction cause multiple accidents in our area during almost every winter storm. This keeps us and CHP busy. At the Sheriff’s Office, we have a fleet of patrol 4×4 trucks to ensure year-round access to our rural communities. The Sheriff’s Office, Ebbetts Pass Fire Department, and Calaveras Search and Rescue also have tracked vehicles that are utilized during heavy snowstorms.

Our Deputies are here for life and property safety. Although we care deeply and always want to lend a helping hand, we usually do not have the available resources during major storms to serve as delivery drivers of supplies. When we receive requests for assistance or welfare checks for residents or visitors who are unable to sustain themselves, then we assist with emergency evacuations to lower elevations. We attempt to connect those in need with available programs and resources or re-connect them with family members for pick-up.

Lastly, a reminder about snowplow operations. Calaveras County Ordinances prohibit parking on county roads during snow removal operations. As our county road department conducts critical snow removal to clear roadways, every vehicle parked on the road that is in their way has potential for being damaged (if covered/concealed by snow) and can hinder snowplow operations. Deputies respond, issue parking citations, and vehicles are towed at the owner’s expense. Per our county ordinance, the right-of-way typically extends beyond the pavement edge, so vehicles are rarely safe from being towed if parked in the right-of-way. If you own a short-term rental and know you will have guests during a major winter storm, it would be very helpful if you can give them a heads up on all of these topics as they visit our beautiful county.

Thank you to our upcountry community for inviting us to the meeting tonight. Agency representatives discussed many other topics and answered questions regarding community concerns for the upper Highway 4 area. FEMA stresses that whole community preparedness is a shared responsibility through proactive measures like preparation, maintenance, and emergency planning. From our Fire Wise to our Winter Wise events, the Sheriff’s Office remains committed to our ‘Community First’ philosophy by working together to bolster Calaveras County’s resiliency.