It's flood awareness month

Sutter County residents can learn about flood insurance, the dangers of flooding and how to prepare during activities highlighting Flood Awareness Month in Sutter County.

One-third of Sutter County was recently rezoned as a high risk flood zone by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Flood Awareness Month is being sponsored by Sutter County and the Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency.

The month is the first of its kind in Sutter County and, "considering circumstances in the region it's important to have it every year," said Chuck Smith, Sutter County public information officer.

Informational workshops on mandatory federal flood insurance are:

• Oct. 15 — 6 p.m. at the Barry Elementary School auditorium, 1255 Barry Road, Yuba City.

• Oct. 16 — 6 p.m. at the East Nicolaus High School auditorium, 2454 Nicolaus Ave., Nicolaus.

Other events planned during the month include:

• Levee tours at 10 a.m. Oct. 11 and 25, sponsored by Levee District 1, Yuba City and PROACT Sutter County Citizens Alliance. Call Sally Serger at 673-2357 for reservations.

• Flood Aware/Flood Prepare Fair from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sutter County Health auditorium, 1445 Veterans Memorial Circle, Yuba City.

Residents are invited to bring in their flood photos and share their stories at the fair while being videotaped for future events.

• A traveling exhibit on flood awareness is on view through Oct. 11 at the Yuba Sutter Mall; Oct. 10 on Plumas Street during the Yuba City Centennial Celebration; and at an emergency preparedness event Oct. 28 at the Church of Glad Tidings, 1179 Eager Road, Yuba City.

• Two workshops for professionals are also scheduled: for engineers and developers at 9 a.m. Oct. 20 and for insurance agents and real estate professionals at 9 a.m. Oct. 27. Both are at the Veterans Hall, 1425 Veterans Memorial Circle, Yuba City.

For more information, contact the Sutter County Division of Water Resources at www.suttercounty.org or 822-3299.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Leticia Gutierrez at 749-4722 or at lgutierrez@appealdemocrat.com