Mr. Mayor, Madam City Administrator, and City Council Members:

Springtime rains continued in Oakland adding 1.33 inches of rain to already above-normal seasonal precipitation.

Continued soil saturation caused 11 mild to moderate mudslides and 12 tree failures.  Landslides are typically associated with periods of heavy rainfall or rapid snow melt, and tend to worsen the effects of flooding that often accompany these storms.

Forecasters predict continued rains with possible thunderstorms throughout this week as a complex storm system passes over the Bay Area.  A wind advisory has been issued for Monday and Tuesday this week.

Call volume to Fire Dispatch increased mid-morning Saturday, requiring the opening of the Municipal Service Center.  Calls were re-routed from Fire Dispatch to the PWA Call Center, and two extra crews were dispatched to clear mudslides.  The Municipal Service Center opened again on Sunday to continuing clearing outstanding mudslides with one extra crew, and to continue patrolling slide-prone areas.

With continued heavy rains, crews continue to inspect and clean inlets and storm drains in heavily affected areas; and to patrol and monitor the Lake Merritt area and hills for any drainage-related issues in order to mitigate them before they become problems.

Amount of Rainfall (http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=mtr)

Location of Problem Areas

• Elverton Drive between Skyline and Thorndale is closed to all traffic because of further erosion of the street due to recent storms.  Continuing erosion caused a sewer line to break (approximately 6 feet of the road caved in.
• Closure of the road to all thru traffic does not affect residents’ ability to ingress/egress  their private property.  PWA Engineering staff has evaluated the situation and is working on a permanent repair.
• 105th Street Underpass on San Leandro Street closed Saturday morning, March 25, and remains closed due to mechanical problems with the pumping system.  Drainage and Facilities staff are addressing the problems.

Number of Calls Received (See attachment.)

• 41 - Total calls received
• 12 - Tree related calls
• 11 - Mudslide related calls
• 18 - Sewer and storm drain related calls

Facility-related service requests:

• Fire Station #6 - Roof leak over the kitchen - In process of repair
• Stonehurst Park - Storm Drain leak - Referred to Drainage Div.
• San Antonio Park - Broken storm drain - In process of repair
• Fire Station 20 - Hallway roof leak - In process of repair
• Dimond Recreation Center - Gutter stoppage - Repaired
• Fire Station 3 - Leak in engineer’s room - Repaired
• Fire Station 28 - Leak in dorm area - Repairing
• Rose Garden - Clogged storm drains - Cleared drains
• Moss Home - roof leak - Repairing      

As always, crews are engaged in pre-storming activities as we continue to experience winter weather.  I will keep you informed should any new developments occur.