Garberville Sanitary District is committed to providing the best service possible for our customers but we also want to provide leadership, a remediation plan and assistance in surving and escaping emergencies which may arise.

Southern Humboldt is vulnerable to a host of hazards and natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, winter storms, landslides, droughts and fires; which is why Garberville Sanitarty District is providing this Emergency Operational Plan, to assist in protecting our environment and customers.

Garberville is located in an area which has had many natural disaster emergencies over the years and because CalTrans, CalFire, Sheriff's Office, PG&E, Humboldt County Road Department, The Hospital, Water District and The Garberville Fire Department are all located withing GSD Boundaries, we must work together and coordinate effectively to survive any emergency.

EMERGENCY ~ CALL 911

Garberville Sanitary District - Emergency Call #(707) 923-9568 

Office of Emergency Services (707) 445-7251

Sheriff's Office (707) 923-2761

Cal Fire - (707) 923-2645

Garberville FIRE Department - (707) 923-3196

Emergency ALERT Notification - Member Login

Search & Rescue - 911

Humboldt County Evacution & Information Center - (707) 268-2500

USGS River Conditions

Humboldt County Road Department (707) 445-7491

Cal Trans - (707) 923 9374

Humboldt County Public Health - (707) 445-6200

PG&E - (800) 743-5000

SHCHD HOSPITAL - (707) 923-3921

Redwood Rural Health Center - (707) 923-2783

KMUD News - (707) 923-2605

Redheaded Black Belt News Online

Lost Coast Outpost News

Southern Humboldt Amateur Radio Club - Patte Rae: (707) 223-1560 - INFO@SHARC

ARE YOU PREPARED?

1. Have a 72 Hour EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS KIT
2. KNOW your escape routes.
3. Have a CONTACT List with you that includes Names, Phone Numbers, Email Info and Addresses.
4. Have a Location identified with family and friends where they can meet you.
5. Ensure that you have stored additional fuel, water, food, heat and batteries for lights.
6. You may LOSE all contact, so be prepared with a survival manual, if necessary.
7. Have additional  water storage available, in case water serice is disrupted.
8. Be Prepared to treat your own water by boiling, filtration or disinfectant.
9. Relocate stored fuel, which may ignite a fire and endanger your house.
10. Notify someone immediately, if danger approaches, so they know your circumstances.
11. Maintain a First Aid Kit and knowledge of how to use it.

Road Closures 

You know how to access your property, business or home during normal conditions, but you NEED TO KNOW how to access or leave quickly and safely in the event of an emergency, disaster or road closures. 

Have escape routes planned for all possibilites with maps in your car and programmed on your phone.

The roads might be closed so locate any escape routs which may require river or overland escape. Are you prepare to leave by boat, if required, or do you have a survival backpack, clothing and shoes to walk to safety?

Earthquake

Earthquakes are difficult to prepare for because unlike fires and floods, they can happen at any time and with no warning, weather or environmental indicators. An earthquake can destory everything within the area impacted, so being prepared or surviving an earthquake requires knowing how to protect yourself.

Have a place to go where you can quickly and safely and may likely have access to a phone/device to contact others. Get clear from falling objects, broken glass and other heavy or harmful debris. Protect your face and vital organs if you are unable to get away from moving objects.

Floods

There have been floods in that past, which have closed roads, damaged buildings and property, as well as causing sever destruction and death. Although floods are a less frequent risk, we must plan for the unexpected.

As the South Fork Eel River rises, you can check the GSD website for local concerns and contact the emergency services above, including the USGS Water Information Center. 

FLOOD STAGE for the Eel River is 33 feet, so being prepared for road closures, slides and flood damage is important for all people living near the river or along the HWY 101 corridor.

Assuming the water will not affect you, is and ineffectual plan for survival because once the water has breached the banks and closed roads, you are at the  mercy of the flood and subsquent conditions. The best practice is to leave before the road closes, seek higher ground and ensure your safety.

Fires

1. DO NOT try to be a hero.
2. Be prepared to survive or GET OUT!
3. Store water and a fire backpack with spray nozzle along with fire extinguisher.
4. Always have a fire retardant blanket, or clothing avaible if unable to get out.
5. Fires can happen at anytime for a variety of reasons, so BE AWARE of the conditions!

• CALL 911
• Lightening is notorious for starting multiple fires that can halt escape.
• Debris and anything flamable is an accelerant, so clear it away from around the house.
• Fires typically move faster uphill, but wind blows fire everywhere.
• As fire becomes close, wet yard, house and roof while removing anything flammable.
• Grass fires move quickly, but generate less heat than brush and heavy timber.
• Extreme heat and drought conditions have increased probability for wildfires to grow exponentially.

Drought Contingency Plan

During drought conditions, as identified by the State of California, Humboldt County or Garberville Sanitary District, this Drought Contingency Plan will go into effet immediately.

This plan will be implemented by GSD and the public will be made aware of this plan through the media and customer outreach.

Customers will be required to conserve water, including, but not limited to gallons per day water usage. And if they do not comply, may be fined for gallons of water used above the maximum allowance.

• 1st Phase of the Drought Conservation will require all customers to voluntarily reduce water consumption. (10cfs) in the South Fork of the Eel River. 
• 2nd Phase will be a stop to all outdoor watering for everything except animals, vegetables or fruit (7cfs).
• 3rd Phase will require only using water on specific days, designated by GSD (5cfs).
• 4th Phase requires all customers to only use water for health and safety, with no outside watering (4cfs).

Continual updates to customers will educate and inform of conditions.

1. Ongoing: to develop alternative water sources, including; wells springs, shared water with neighboring water districts including water hauling.
2. Ongoing: gray water education for irrigation
3. Ongoing: educate customers on personal water storage opportunities and conservation measures.
4. Ongoing: leak monitoring and repairs.
5. Ongoing: build additional water storage tanks or ponds.
6. Ongoing: Participate in all drought planning forums to hsare ideas and planning strategies while developing partnerships on collaborative water projects and funding opportunities.
7. Identify all diversions from the river of GSD distribution system and report ot law enforcement.