URGENT UPDATE: Flooding issues in Palermo are intensifying, prompting immediate concerns about water pollution, property damage, and public safety. As the area braces for more storms, Butte County officials are racing to implement a Clean Water Consolidation program aimed at alleviating these chronic problems.
Authorities have confirmed that the county is finalizing a Drainage Master Plan to identify long-term solutions to Palermo’s flooding woes. Kamie Loeser, Director of the Butte County Water and Resource Conservation District, stated, “This will come to the board in January 2025. We usually identify a series of projects that we would like to pursue for federal funding.”
The county’s efforts include the Clean Water Consolidation and Dry Well Consolidation projects, which aim to connect up to 380 properties to the South Feather Water and Power Agency’s drinking water system. Residents have long relied on wells, many of which are contaminated due to flooding. Loeser emphasized, “The Clean Water Consolidation Project will help minimize the impacts… once people get connected to the water system.”
Local resident Joan Hunt, who has been advocating for improved drainage for years, expressed her frustrations: “I can barely make it through with my four-wheel-drive to take them drinking water and food during these times.” Hunt’s advocacy stems from years of documenting flooding issues that have devastated homes and businesses.
Currently, visible measures are being taken to mitigate immediate flooding risks. Fresh trenches and sandbags line the streets as residents prepare for the anticipated storms. The Wyandotte Creek Groundwater Sustainability Agency is also involved, working to clear vegetation from local ditches to improve water flow.
Loeser noted that these projects are crucial for the community’s long-term flood control, saying, “Really, long-term flood protection in the Palermo community just depends on that funding.”
The core of Palermo, located at the intersection of Palermo Road and Lincoln Boulevard, is especially vulnerable, with many businesses struggling to stay afloat amid flooding threats. Fortunately, the local fire station has remained largely unaffected, unlike others in the region.
As of now, the county is moving forward with plans to secure funding for these critical projects, while residents remain on high alert. The situation is developing rapidly, and community members are urged to stay informed as authorities work to implement solutions that could save lives and property.
As the storms approach, the urgency for action has never been clearer. Residents are counting on Butte County officials to expedite these initiatives and ensure a safer future for Palermo.
