Title
Status update on January 2023 Winter Storm Repairs by Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Capital Improvement Committee receive a status report on the January 2023 Winter Storm Repair projects by PWFP.
SUMMARY:
Beginning around December 27, 2022, Monterey County experienced an extended series of “atmospheric river” winter storm events and significant sustained storms which lasted until mid-January 2023, with marginal respite in-between storm events. Moreover, the Pajaro River reached near record high water levels, causing concern for its levees and the unincorporated community of Pajaro, as well as its floodwater curtailing access to Murphy Road. In addition, the Salinas River attained high river water levels that inundated lands adjacent to the river, damaging private properties and County infrastructure nearby with floodwaters and scouring action. The significant rainfall, wind, and flooding associated with this extended series of storms caused approximately $16.7 million in damage to County roads, bridges, parks, drainage, and related infrastructure (as of this report). This report provides an initial update to the Capital Improvement Committee (CIC) on the status of recovery and repair efforts. Damages continue to be discovered at this juncture and will be added into the accounting by PWFP. Future updates will be incorporated into the standing report on prior storm and fire damage events which is provided to the CIC and Budget Committee (BC) on a regular basis.
DISCUSSION:
Generally, storm damage consisted of eroded roadway slopes (i.e. slides and slip outs), sinkholes and collapsed drainage culverts, potholes and pavement damage from floodwaters, undermined roadways, sediment and debris deposited onto roadways, downed trees, and drainage ditches, culverts and basins that become overwhelmed with sediment from mudslides and debris flows. The County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated during this declared disaster, and PWFP helped staff the 24/7 EOC operation. PWFP also activated its Department Operations Center (DOC) to provide 24/7 command and control of PWFP crews and contractors to best deploy and organize ongoing emergency response operations. During the storm events, PWFP staff and contractors were focused on emergency response to address as best as possible flooding and debris on roadways at numerous locations Countywide, support law enforcement with road closures for mandatory evacuation zones and support the EOC with requests for assistance.
Now that the extended storm event has passed, PWFP is focused on recovery by removing accumulated debris and repairing infrastructure. There are over 90 projects as shown in the table in Attachment A. Most of the debris removal and smaller projects should be completed by the end of February, weather permitting. More significant projects (e.g. Scenic Road, Lewis Creek Road and others) will require more time to make repairs. The list provided in Attachment A is preliminary and may change, but it reasonably frames the initial scope and estimated total cost of the damage locations. As damage assessments continue to be completed, the data will be populated into this matrix and reported to the appropriate parties.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
PWFP staff continues to coordinate with the Department of Emergency Management and County Administrative Office to accurately track the projects and ensure that repair and recovery work is conducted in compliance with applicable regulations to maximize State and Federal disaster reimbursement assistance to the County. This report will be brought to the BC at its next available meeting. This report does not include the winter storm damages sustained by the Water Resources Agency (WRA) or other County departments.
FINANCING:
Future reports will provide detail on costs and anticipated reimbursements.
Prepared by: Tom Bonigut, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks, ext. 4831
Reviewed by: Jessica Cordiero-Martinez, Finance Manager III
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachment:
Attachment A - January 2023 Storm Projects Summary