Mailers target residents at greatest risk of debris flows, flooding

Emergency officials are sending more than 18,000 mailers to help Ventura County households at greatest risk to prepare for potentially hazardous flooding and debris flows.

The literature started going out late last week to residents in 10 zones or areas where the Thomas Fire burned. The zones stretch from La Conchita to Ventura and the Ojai Valley as well as the Santa Paula and Fillmore areas.

The fire, which started Dec. 4 near Santa Paula, burned more than 281,000 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties before it was fully contained on Jan. 12.

Patrick Maynard, an emergency manager in the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services, urged residents to stay alert and prepared. Experts create models to prepare for disasters, but don't really know what will happen, he said.

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"There are so many hazards in this burn area, it's so large and there are so many variables," he said.

He said residents should read the mailers to find out what zones they live in, what hazards are present and the web and phone addresses for resources. Residents are being encouraged to regularly visit vcemergency.com, which provides information in real time and contains rainfall totals in specific areas, Maynard said.

A hotline, 465-6650, will be activated when storm conditions require it, he said.

The mailer also contains a list of community meetings where information will be shared on how the zones are devised, hazards in particular zones and tips on preparation for storms. Maynard said each meeting will be videotaped and posted at vcemergency.com. 

Maynard said he was not sure what the cost of the mailings would be. The expense is expected to be covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said.