On 10/9/2025, Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) Office of Emergency Services held a Flood Fight Training led by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). This Flood Fight training taught participants how to address flooding through the use of flood fight mitigation methods, including the construction of sandbag structures, diversion walls, muscle walls, and sack rings. After a presentation from the DWR representatives, participants were able to implement the skills they learned. Instructors directed the group to fill sandbags and to work as a team to create sandbag walls and structures, with the team filling sandbags and being instructed to pass them down a carrying line to ensure that nobody injures their back during a real disaster.
Flooding is the most common type of natural disaster and can occur just about anywhere in the world. They can cover an area with just a few inches of water or they can bring enough water to cover the roof of a house. Floods can be dangerous for communities, lasting days, weeks or sometimes even longer. As with any natural disaster, preparedness is the best solution to future incidents. After the January 13th 2024 flood at Blue Lake, the BLR Office of Emergency Services has bolstered the community’s resilience by offering education and training such as the CA DWR Flood Fight training to help prepare our community for a disaster scenario that we may face in the future.
Originally Published: 10/26/2025