Live Updates | Failure of Auxiliary Spillway at Oroville Dam Imminent – Evacuations Ordered

February 13, 2017 at 8:43 AM All further updates will be posted here: https://yubanet.com/regional/oroville-spillway-incident/

February 13, 2017 at 8:35 AM DWR engineers and soil technicians are assessing the auxiliary spillway damage now. Updated conditions will be posted as soon as available.

February 13, 2017 at 7:40 AM 3:00 am update from the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds is available for evacuees and animals. We are not full, and we have room in our buildings and our RV Park.

We have about 600 people on the grounds, about 15 large dogs, and many small animals. The Red Cross has notified us that the Salvation Army will be bringing breakfast and lunch to all the evacuees in the morning; however, they are in need of prepackaged snack food (no homemade food is allowed) and blankets for the evacuees. There is plenty of bottled water, so no need for water donations. They are also in need of dog and cat food for the small animals.

The Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team (who is overseeing the large animal evacuations) has about 15 large dogs, and they have enough food and supplies for these animals, so there is not a need for food and blankets for them at this time. All prepackaged snack food, blanket, and small animal pet food donations can be dropped off at Gate 1 at the Fairgrounds, and Red Cross will oversee the distribution. Thank you for your generosity, and your patience as we work with the various organizations to best help those in need.

February 13, 2017 at 7:30 AM Disabled Butte County residents who need assistance evacuating in Butte County can call (530) 342-0221 for a para-transport.

February 13, 2017 at 7:20 AM At 7:00 am Lake Oroville reservoir elevation is 897.55 ft. Reported outflow is 99,804 cfs.

February 13, 2017 at 6:50 AM Nevada County Consolidated Fire has staffed the evacuation center at the fairgrounds with medical staff to assist the evacuees.

February 13, 2017 at 12:20 AM Lake Oroville is now at 899.77 ft. – or 99.8% of total capacity. DWR officials stated their goal is to lower the level to 850 ft before the next weather system on Wednesday.

February 13, 2017 at 12:19 AM Nevada County OES: Current estimate is 535 evacuees. Found about 100 more cots in Truckee area. May take a few hours to get them loaded and brought down.

February 13, 2017 at 12:07 AM Placer County evac center (800 All American Pkwy Roseville) seeking Spanish and Punjabi-speaking volunteer.

February 13, 2017 at 12:00 AM Butte Superintendent of Schools, Tim Taylor, has called closure of all schools on Monday, February 13, 2017. Bangor Union Elementary School District, Biggs Unified School District, Durham Unified School District, Feather Falls Union Elementary School District, Golden Feather Union Elementary School District, Gridley Unified School District, Manzanita Elementary School District, Oroville Elementary School District, Oroville Union High School District, Palermo Union Elementary School District, Pioneer Union Elementary School District and Thermalito Union Elementary School District in Butte County.  All of Butte County Office of Education offices and schools in Oroville will also be closed. The following Butte County School Districts are not included in this closure advisory: Chico Unified School District and Paradise Unified School District.

February 12, 2017 at 11:53 PM CHP: We are out with Caltrans HQ helping motorists who are out of gas. #OrovilleDam

February 12, 2017 at 11:51 PM Nevada County OES: Current estimate is 450 evacuees at the Fairgrounds.  People are still arriving, but the flow has slowed down.

February 12, 2017 at 11:38 PM Nevada County OES: More water and snacks are on the way to the fairgrounds, should be there by midnight.  Current estimate is about 450 people.

February 12, 2017 at 11:30 PM Beale Air Force Base: Beale has received approximately 200 people and plan to receive many more. We will not turn anyone away. We stand beside our community.

February 12, 2017 at 11:21 PM CHP has over 100 additional officers deployed to the area, five aircraft assigned.

February 12, 2017 at 11:19 PM Press conference at CalOES now. CA National Guard activates, 1,200 people assigned to the incident, ready to help. CAL FIRE has over 250 firefighters assigned with a Type I Management Team coordinating.

February 12, 2017 at 10:49 PM Governor Brown Issues Emergency Order to Help Response to Situation at Oroville Dam

February 12, 2017 at 10:33 PM Nevada County: There are about 400 people at the fairgrounds now. Unfortunately, there are not enough cots for everyone. 50 more cots are on the way from El Dorado County. Water and snacks should be arriving by 11pm.

February 12, 2017 at 10:20 PM Inflow at reservoir is currently 40,000 cfs, outflow is 100,000 cfs. DWR wants the reservoir level to come down 50ft before this week’s storm.

February 12, 2017 at 10:14 PM CHP UPDATE for Oroville Dam: SB 149 at 99, SB 70 at 149, EB 162 at 99, & 149 at Openshaw Rd. are all CLOSED.

February 12, 2017 at 9:53 PM CAL FIRE Incident Management Team #3 is now in Unified Command with Butte County Sheriff and the Department of Water Resources on managing the incident.

February 12, 2017 at 9:51 PM CHP Video of Oroville Dam earlier today.

February 12, 2017 at 9:45 PM Per Amtrak, NB & SB Starlight line travelers will be bussed around the evacuation area. Union Pacific holding all rail traffic from Sacramento to Redding.

February 12, 2017 at 9:44 PM Nevada County Fairgrounds is currently sheltering 143 people. 150 people are waiting for a cot. Recreational vehicles are being accepted at the fairgrounds.

February 12, 2017 at 9:23 PM The Nevada County Fairgrounds are open to flood evacuees and all animals. For cars (non RVs), go to Gate 1; for RVs, go to Gate 4; for large and small animals, go to Gate 8. The GVPD and Red Cross are onsite and at the various gates to assist evacuees.

February 12, 2017 at 9:07 PM Yuba River at Marysville (MRYC1).

A CHANGE IN FLOOD CATEGORY HAS BEEN **FORECASTED** Previous Forecasted flood stage was: Near Flood Stage, New Forecasted flood stage is: No Flooding Forecasted 48 hour crest: 73.5 ft

February 12, 2017 at 8:55 PM From Nevada County OES: The fairgrounds is open as an evacuation center.  Please enter at gate 1.  Large animals will be accepted. There are currently about 100 people at the evacuation center.

February 12, 2017 at 8:47 PM NWS Sacramento: A Flash Flood Warning for the potential failure of a portion of the auxiliary spillway of Oroville Dam Remains in effect until 4:15 PM Monday for South Central Butte County.

Operation of the auxiliary spillway has lead to severe erosion that could lead to a failure a portion of the structure. Failure of the auxiliary spillway structure would result in an uncontrolled release of flood waters from Lake Oroville.

Only the auxiliary spillway of Oroville dam is considered to be under threat at this time.

February 12, 2017 at 8:29 PM Oroville Dam – Beale Emergency Response:

Due to the current emergency situation regarding the possible Oroville Dam spillway north of Beale Air Force Base; In support of local communities, Beale Air Force Base has authorized transit across the installation entering via either Doolittle Gate (off of Hammonton Smartsville road) or Schneider Gate (North Beale road) and exiting to higher ground via the Grass Valley gate. Additionally, the Harris Fitness Center located on base is currently an active shelter location. Evacuees seeking shelter will park at Dragon Town and from there be transferred to the OMNI for registration via bus. Beale AFB, is able to provide shelter for 400 individuals and Contrails dining facility will offer food and water.

February 12, 2017 at 8:06 PM At least 130,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the spillway failure.

February 12, 2017 at 7:57 PM Butte County offices in the #Oroville area will be closed for business tomorrow due to the evacuation from the #Spillway incident.

February 12, 2017 at 7:51 PM Butte County Evacuation update:

Evacuation Area
Oroville Area: Downtown Oroville and Thermalito, the areas south of Lincoln Blvd on the west side of Lincoln to Ophir Road. All low lying areas around the Feather River, which includes Gridley, Biggs, Yuba City, Loma Rica, and anywhere south of Butte County along the River. We will provide more specific information later.

Evacuation Shelter
Chico

Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair Street, Chico (small animals accepted) – FULL
Neighborhood of Church of Chico, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd. (no animals inside)
Paradise

Paradise Alliance Church (CMA), 6491 Clark Road (small animals accepted, RVs allowed in Parking Lot)
Elks Lodge (Paradise) 1100 Elks Lane, Paradise – (no small animals accepted, RVs allowed in Parking Lot)

Alternate Locations for RVs
Rolling Hils RV Park, Corning

Animals Shelters
Large Animal Shelter – Camelot Equestrian Center, 1985 Clark Road

February 12, 2017 at 7:46 PM Caltrans: SR 70 in the Feather River Canyon remains CLOSED indefinitely between Jarbo Gap in Butte Co and the Greenville Wye in Plumas Co.

February 12, 2017 at 7:41 PM The Nevada County Fairgrounds will be opened as an emergency evacuation center. Access will be via Gate 4. RV’s are welcome and there will be space for animal evacuations as well.

February 12, 2017 at 7:39 PM Per Butte County: Evacuation shelter at the Silver Dollar Fair is now full. An additional shelter is open at Neighborhood Church in Chico, 2801 Notre Dame

February 12, 2017 at 7:38 PM Caltrans: Traffic jammed up everywhere in Yuba City and Marysville due to evacuation order. Expect major delays.

February 12, 2017 at 7:27 PM Butte County: Large animal shelter open at Camelot Equestrian Park,1985 Clark Road for residents evacuating

February 12, 2017 at 7:14 PM Based on latest info on releases from #LakeOroville, here’s the Feather River forecast at Gridley. Next update as needed or 8PM.

February 12, 2017 at 6:51 PM City of Yuba City strongly recommends an evacuation of all residents immediately. Travel options are as follows: South on Highway 99, West on Highway 20, Highway 99 South to Highway 113, or South on George Washington to Highway 113. Do not travel Eastbound on Highway 20 or Bridge Street as the bridges are closed. Do not travel North.

February 12, 2017 at 6:49 PM Butte County: Disabled residents evacuating from Oroville who cannot get friends or family to assist, should call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.

February 12, 2017 at 6:46 PM The Glenn County Sheriff is opening an emergency evacuation shelter in Orland at the Glenn County Fairgrounds at 7:30 PM tonight. Address: 221 E Yolo St.

February 12, 2017 at 6:38 PM Per Foothill Fire in Brownsville: An evacuation center is being opened at the Alcouffe Center in Oregon House. It is located at 9185 Marysville Road.

February 12, 2017 at 6:25 PM Based on information received from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the incident command team managing Lake Oroville, counties and cities near Lake Oroville and the surrounding area issued evacuation orders for residents.

The concern is that erosion at the head of the auxiliary spillway threatens to undermine the concrete weir and allow large, uncontrolled releases of water from Lake Oroville.  Those potential flows could exceed the capacity of downstream channels. To avert more erosion at the top of the auxiliary spillway, DWR doubled the flow down its main spillway from 55,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 100,000 cfs.

The next several hours will be crucial in determining whether the concrete structure at the head of the auxiliary spillway remains intact and prevents larger, uncontrolled flows. Current flows are contained with downstream channels.

Flow over the auxiliary spillway weir began Saturday morning and has slowed considerably.

DWR officials expect that flow to stop entirely soon, which will reduce the erosion on the downstream side of the structure. Oroville Dam itself is sound and is a separate structure from the auxiliary spillway.

February 12, 2017 at 6:22 PM Butte County Sheriff: The Lake Oroville Dam Auxiliary Spillway structure has suffered potentially catastrophic damage as a result of erosion secondary to water flow. This damage could result in catastrophic failure of the Auxiliary Spillway. The California Department of Water Resources has increased exhaust water flow from the Gated Spillway to 100,000 cfs in an attempt to decrease Lake Oroville water levels. This effort is an attempt to reduce flow from the Auxiliary Spillway. As an additional measure, helicopters will be depositing rock filled containers to strengthen the potential failure point. This development caused the Butte County Sheriff, Kory L. Honea, to order the mandatory evacuation of the City of Oroville, south to the Butte County Line. Residents are advised to evacuate north to the City of Chico. An evacuation shelter has been established at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. The Sheriff, in an effort to safe guard residents of Butte County, had no choice but to make the decision to require this mandatory order.

February 12, 2017 at 6:17 PM Sutter County OEM immediate evacuation ordered for Live Oak, Yuba City, Nicolaus & all communities Feather River Yuba City basin. Evacuate West on Hwy 20 and/or South on Hwy 99 and Hwy 70 toward Sacramento

February 12, 2017 at 6:08 PM NWS Sacramento: Oroville Dam itself is not compromised at current time. Failure would be aux spillway.

February 12, 2017 at 6:08 PM Evacuation for Yuba includes Hallwood, Marysville, Olivehurst/Linda and Plumas Lake due to potential failure of Oroville Dam spillway.

February 12, 2017 at 5:57 PM Per CAL FIRE: Mandatory Evacuation order is for Oroville to the Sutter County line.

February 12, 2017 at 5:48 PM Per Marysville PD: An emergency evacuation of the City of Marysville and Yuba County has been issued.

February 12, 2017 at 5:42 PM Butte County: Residents evacuating Oroville can bring small animals to the shelter at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico.

February 12, 2017 at 5:33 PM Yuba County Office of Emergency Services· ALERT-ALERT-ALERT — Yes, an evacuation has been ordered. All of Yuba County on the valley floor. The auxiliary spillway is close to failing. Please travel safely. Contact family and friends. Help the elderly. Take only routes to the east, south, or west. DO NOT TRAVEL NORTH TOWARD OROVILLE!!!!!

February 12, 2017 at 5:28 PM The Public Information Line for the #OrovilleSpillway is currently down while call takers evacuate. Line will be back up shortly.

February 12, 2017 at 5:09 PM Residents evacuating #Oroville area should be aware Nelson Avenue is closed at Table Mountain Blvd. due to ongoing road construction.

February 12, 2017 at 4:56 PM Failure of Auxiliary Spillway at Oroville Dam Imminent – Evacuations Ordered. This is NOT a drill! Immediate evacuation from the low levels of Oroville and areas downstream is ordered. Evacuation shelter for residents evacuated from #Oroville located at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. 2357 Fair St, Chico .

February 12, 2017 – At 4:19 PM PST, Dam operators reported a hazardous situation is   developing with the Oroville Dam auxiliary spillway. Operation of the auxiliary spillway has lead to severe erosion that could lead to a failure of the structure. Failure of the auxiliary spillway structure will result in an uncontrolled release of flood waters from Lake Oroville.

In response to this developing situation, DWR is increasing water releases to 100,000 cubic feet per second.

Immediate evacuation from the low levels of Oroville areas downstream is ordered. From Oroville to Gridley…low level areas around the feather river will experience rapid river rises.

This is not a Drill. This is not a Drill. Repeat this is not a   drill.

Locations impacted include:  Oroville, Palermo, Gridley, Thermalito, South Oroville, Oroville  Dam, Oroville East and Wyandotte.

From CAL FIRE:

This is an evacuation order.

Immediate evacuation from the low levels of Oroville and areas downstream is ordered.

A hazardous situation is developing with the Oroville Dam auxiliary spillway.  Operation of the auxiliary spillway has lead to severe erosion that could lead to a failure of the structure.  Failure of the auxiliary spillway structure will result in an uncontrolled release of flood waters from Lake Oroville.

In response to this developing situation, DWR is increasing water releases to 100,000 cubic feet per second.

Immediate evacuation from the low levels of Oroville and areas downstream is ordered.

This in NOT A Drill. This in NOT A Drill. This in NOT A Drill.