DWR Declares Flood Alert.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) declared a "Flood Alert" at 8:00 a.m. today to deal with recent storms and forecasts of additional precipitation throughout California.

The State-Federal Flood Operations Center (FOC) at 3310 El Camino Avenue in Sacramento will remain open for extended hours, as needed, including weekends.

There will be a daily media briefing through Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the Second Floor Flood Operations Center Media Room.

"A Flood Alert declaration increases our ability to process flood information and readies our staff to make required notification calls in response to river forecasts," said DWR Flood Operations Branch Chief Jay Punia. "It also, puts us in readiness to facilitate flood fight efforts by local, State, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers forces on the Sacramento River Flood Control Project, the San Joaquin River Flood Control System, and elsewhere, should such efforts become necessary."

Reporters may contact the Flood Operations Center staff at 916-574-2619.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.