Sacramento, California – A flood emergency is not the time to wonder what a sandbagging machine looks like, how rescue crews move through high water or what kind of equipment clears debris before it blocks drainage systems. Sacramento residents will get a chance to see those tools up close before the storm season arrives.
The City of Sacramento and several flood-fighting agencies will bring trucks, rescue vehicles and specialized machinery to Garcia Bend Park on Oct. 17 for the annual Highwater Jamboree, a free event designed to make flood preparedness more practical — and much more hands-on.
The family-friendly gathering will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park, located at 7654 Pocket Road. Residents will be able to see equipment used by local, state and federal agencies when flooding threatens neighborhoods, roads, homes and businesses.
Among the equipment expected at the event are public safety rescue vehicles, heavy trucks and automatic sandbagging machines. Visitors will also get a look at “The Claw,” a tractor-like machine used to collect leaves and other debris.
Unlike a typical emergency preparedness presentation, the jamboree gives attendees an opportunity to get close to the machinery and better understand how it is used during flood prevention and response efforts.
“Helping individuals and families prepare for the stormy season is our number-one goal with this event,” said Carlos Eliason, a communication specialist with the City’s Department of Utilities, which helps manage flood prevention.
“But, we also know that the fun and interactivity of seeing and touching heavy equipment that we use to fight floods brings a whole new perspective to being prepared.”
The equipment displays are only part of the event. Information booths will give residents practical guidance on steps they can take before severe weather arrives.
Those measures include purchasing flood insurance, preparing evacuation routes and signing up for emergency alerts. The goal is to give families information they can use well before a flood warning or evacuation order forces quick decisions.
City staff from several departments will participate alongside the County of Sacramento, the California Department of Water Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other local, state and federal agencies.
Their presence will give visitors a broader view of the coordination required during flood season, when different agencies may be responsible for everything from drainage and levee protection to emergency response and public safety.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the Oct. 17 event. Reservations are not required, but city officials are encouraging residents who plan to come to respond through the Highwater Jamboree Facebook event page.
For families, the event offers something unusual: a chance to climb closer to the machines usually seen working from a distance. For flood agencies, it is also an opportunity to turn that curiosity into preparation before the next major storm tests Sacramento’s defenses.