Feather River Basin Evacuations
I’m Ed Smith, an Oroville personal injury attorney. At approximately 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2017, an emergency evacuation order was issued to nearly 200,000 residents who live downstream of the Oroville Dam after officials noticed erosion on the dam’s emergency spillway. Officials from the surrounding areas warned that the emergency spillway was in immediate danger of failing, which would result in a 35-foot wall of water raging into the communities that are located along the Feather River Basin.
The Oroville Dam
The Oroville Dam is the highest standing dam in the United States standing at 770 feet. It began operation is May of 1968. A large hole appeared in the dam’s main spillway at the end of last week, which prompted officials to begin releasing water over the emergency spillway for the first time in history. Officials are telling the public that the dam itself is intact and functional and the spillway and emergency spillway are the only structures that are at risk of failing. In attempts to stop the emergency spillway from failing, officials increased the flow to the main spillway Sunday evening.
Evacuations
Both mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders were released on Sunday evening. Yuba, Sutter and Butte counties were ordered to evacuate on Sunday due to the possible danger of the emergency spillway failing.
Some of the cities and towns included in the evacuation orders are:
- Gridley
- Oroville
- Marysville
- Yuba City
- Wheatland
- Olivehurst
- Plumas Lake
- Hallwood
- Nicolaus
- Live Oak
Shelter Locations
Multiple evacuation shelters have been set up for residents who were told to evacuate. Officials report that many hotels in the surrounding areas are at full capacity. If you are in need of a place to stay during the evacuation, I have supplied a list of some shelter locations below.
- The Neighborhood Church 2801 Notre Dame Boulevard. Chico, CA 95928. (530) 343-6006.
- VFW Post 1555 554 Rio Linda Avenue. Chico, CA 95926. (530) 513-3730.
- Silver Dollar Fairgrounds 2357 Fair Street. Chico, CA 95928. (530) 895-4666.
- Elks Lodge 1100 Elks Lane. Paradise, CA 95969. (530) 877-3977.
Road Closures
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has released a list of current road closures. This list is subject to change as the situation changes before you travel, I suggest checking with CHP or Caltrans.
State Route 99 is closed at:
- Clark Road
- Durham Pence Road
- State Route 149
- State Route 20
- 20th Street
State Route 70 is closed at:
- Clark Road
- State Route 149
- Woodruff Lane
- 18th Street
Other Closures:
- Shippe Road
- Cottonwood Road
- State Route 162
Oroville Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, an Oroville personal injury attorney. If you, or a member of your family has suffered major injuries or passed away due to the negligent actions of another person, please contact me today at (530) 392-9400 or I can be reached toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for friendly and free advice.
I’ve been assisting families and individuals from California with their wrongful death and personal injury cases for over 30 years.
I’m a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Members of this forum have reached verdicts and settlements of 1 Million dollars or more for their clients.
Browse through the results I have obtained for my clients on our verdicts and settlements page.
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:RTC