City of Sacramento crews continue to work non-stop responding to requests for service related to the recent storms that have pummeled the region.
Since New Year’s Eve, the City of Sacramento has received nearly 700 requests involving downed or uprooted trees, fallen tree limbs and debris blocking roadways. Approximately 200 of these requests have been resolved or are the progress of being resolved, said Ryan Moore, director of Public Works.
“All available City crews and contractors are working to respond, with life safety and mobility as top priorities,” Moore said. “We are working around the clock to address the most pressing issues. With more storms arriving soon, we expect the number of requests to increase in the coming days.”
Much of the cleanup requires trained Urban Forestry crews to manage the large, downed trees. Professional sawyers from Team Rubicon — an international non-government organization that specializes in emergency response – are helping to cut and clear downed trees.
City staff who are not trained to use the necessary equipment are assisting in clearing, moving and transporting debris.
To expedite roadway cleanup, crews currently are only performing full tree removals where necessary. For mobility cleanup, arterial roadways are being cleared first with collector roadways second and residential streets third.
In situations where trees have fallen on buildings, cranes often are required. There are a limited amount of cranes currently available in the region, Moore said, and demand is outweighing supply, creating a backlog.
“We are engaging every available resource to address these issues, and we are actively searching for additional resources,” Moore said.
In addition, if power lines are involved, City crews must also wait for approval from the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District to ensure that tree removal does not create an electrical emergency.
People can also expect to see downed trees at many parks across the city. The Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment (YPCE) has closed the Old City Cemetery until further notice due to fallen trees.
YPCE may close some parks in the coming days because of storm-related debris. Staff are encouraging people to avoid trees at all City parks due to the potential for additional fallen trees or branches.
With another storm system expected to arrive in the coming days, the City is reminding residents to use 3-1-1 to report all storm-related issues. Power outages should be reported to SMUD by calling 1-888-456-SMUD (7683). Call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
A list of frequently asked questions is available on the City’s website for people to help determine what to do if a tree or branch is affecting their property.