Placer County officials have finished assessing their response to the series of powerful storms that slammed the area in early January and they believe that overall, they handled the situation well.

According to the report, the brunt of the storm was felt on the western slope of the Sierra, rather than North Lake Tahoe where blizzard conditions had been expected.

Following the storm, the county declared a state of emergency, which was ratified by the Board of Supervisors. Governor Schwarzenegger agreed, rubber-stamping the county’s request for an emergency declaration.

The report also acknowledges that county residents experienced major power outages – approximately 45,000 according to PG&E – and some lasted several days. Few power outages occurred in North Lake Tahoe.

Placer County Public Works crews were heavily impacted, working 12-hour shifts around the clock, in addition to storm preparations during preceding days. Beginning work at 4 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, crews responded to more than 150 downed trees on county roadways and also responded to downed trees affecting the public in other locations.

Public Works team members also delivered another 118 tons of sand and about 14,500 sand bags to 17 dispensing sites in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The American Red Cross, working in partnership with the county, opened shelters in Foresthill, Auburn, Rocklin and Truckee in Nevada County, and were prepared to open shelters in North Lake Tahoe had they been needed.

County Health and Human Services helped staff the shelters and sent Environmental Health staff to Foresthill to help residents with problems stemming from power outages. Animal Services staff was also ready to help when animals needed a place to stay.

There were about 400 fire calls in the unincorporated area of western Placer County during the first hours of the worst storm, taxing local fire agencies.  Placer County Sheriff’s Department handled a large volume of 911 calls and provided other assistance to residents, according to the report.

“We’re very proud and pleased with the work done by the emergency response crews from all the agencies,” said Jim Holmes, chairman of the Placer County Board of Supervisors.

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