CAPITOLA, Calif. - The City of Capitola gained control of Noble Gulch Creek Saturday afternoon. Creek waters are being directed through pipes to Soquel Creek. After flood waters subsided, significant damage was observed to Pacific Cove Mobile Home Park and the downtown Capitola Village. Many businesses are closed. The City's Building Official will be evaluating structures damaged by flood waters. In coordination with the City Building Official, PG&E is restoring gas and electricity to damaged buildings.
Residents are advised to stay tuned to local weather stations. The National Weather Service has forecasted another system entering the area on Sunday and will bring additional precipitation. This system is expected to leave the area by Sunday evening with showers tapering off overnight. By Monday, high pressure is forecast to build in over the coast and push the storm track to the north. Drying conditions are expected through the week with high temperatures warming into the 70s many areas. Dry conditions will provide City personnel to begin repairs to the pipe damaged in Noble Gulch Creek.
Capitola Village is currently open to pedestrians. Vehicle traffic is restricted to emergency personnel and cleanup crews. People are advised to use extreme caution when entering the village. People are advised to avoid contact with flood waters and to wash hands and remove shoes when entering clean areas.
The City of Capitola City Council will be holding an emergency meeting at 1:30 pm on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at City Hall. The City Council is scheduled to make an emergency proclamation at the meeting. A press conference will follow tomorrow's meeting.
Mayor Dennis Norton said about today's response "I am very proud of the coordinated response of emergency safety personnel, public works, and other agencies, I hope the worst is behind us. I know the City of Capitola will pull together during the upcoming weeks to help Capitola get back on its feet".
The City of Capitola is coordinating emergency response with the County of Santa Cruz, the City of Santa Cruz, and other local agencies. The City of Capitola has issued an emergency proclamation, and is working with the County regarding a mutual request for assistance from the State of California. A damage assessment crew will be arriving in Capitola on Monday to develop an approach to repair the damaged Noble Gulch storm drain and other infrastructure. No estimate of the damage has been completed.
Sand bags and sand has been positioned behind City Hall in Pacific Cove Parking Lot and is available for public use. Capitola residents can reach the Red Cross at 831-427-8115 should shelter other immediate needs be required. For immediate emergencies, call 911.
