Napa River Reclamation District

In order to prepare for possible flooding, please review the Flood Emergency Self-Help Plan developed by Milton Road community residents. A downloadable pdf of the following plan is available here:

Flood Emergency Self-Help Plan_rev.11.4.26.pdf

 

Flood Emergency Self-Help Plan: Milton Road, Edgerly Island, and Ingersol Tract

Revised October 2026

Introduction

This plan is the result of a community effort to ensure that in the event of a flood residents know what community resources are available, how to contact the appropriate personnel, how to evacuate the area (if necessary) and provide for the safety of the residents and their property.  The assumption is made that during a major flood event, county, state, and/or federal response may be delayed up to 48 hours from the onset of flooding.  All residents should have a copy of this document and additionally an electronic copy of this document will be located on the NRRD website nrrd2109.org.

Purpose, Scope & Objective

• Specify methods for early recognition of potential flood events and dissemination of warnings which are accurate, timely, and reliable, for Milton Road residents until county/state/federal personnel arrive.

• How and who to notify in the event of a flood or flood related event.

• How to secure utilities in the event of a flood.

• To prevent injury and loss of life due to flooding and flood related causes.

• To reduce public and private property damage from flooding and flood related causes. 

• To initiate post flood actions. 

• To develop community awareness of the flood hazard and to prepare for the accurate and timely dissemination of information during flood emergencies.

 

Situation

Edgerly Island and Ingersol Tract are located within a well described flood plain. Milton Road is a dead end and the only road in and out of the area, which serves approximately 155 parcels, including lots and residences with an estimate of 400-500 residents.  In addition, there is a sewer plant and 3 dewatering pumps, which are maintained by the Napa River Reclamation District (NRRD),and 2 private water providers. 

 

Methods of Flood Warning Prediction/Notification

Flooding can occur anytime if there is a levee overtopping or a levee break.  If a major levee break occurs it could just be hours before the road is covered in water (impassable by most vehicles) and the sewer will be shut down.   In general, other factors include sustained southerly winds and high tides which during El Nino years could add an additional 12 inches on top of the highest tides.  The National Weather Service (NWS) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintain a series of river flow gauges along the Napa River which in combination with the tide tables and weather reports can be used to predict river flow. In addition, the NWS issues flood watches and warnings as needed.  Personal observations of real time and conditions can also help predict when flooding is imminent.  

Level 1 -  When flooding is imminent, a siren located at The Edgerly Island Volunteer Fire Department building will sound a siren 5 times for 20 seconds each time.  This will warn residents that an emergency situation is imminent.  At this time you should decide whether or not to evacuate based on your situation.  In the event of an imminent flood, it is advisable to get vehicles and trailers out of the flood zone.  However, make sure you do not block the road if the water is too high for your vehicle as higher clearance emergency vehicles will need to get through.  The Napa Valley Marina has allowed residents to park their vehicles there temporarily. Please leave a note with contact information on the dashboard should marina personnel need to contact you.

Level 2 -  If an emergency is occurring the volunteer fire dept. will sound the siren continuously for several minutes.
 If the firehouse siren is unavailable, it is suggested that residents sound an air horn making a chain of alerts that all neighbors could hear.
 

Who to Notify 

Call 911 to report a levee break or if you need assistance leaving your home.
 

Ingress and Egress

The Ingersol and Edgerly island tracts are both served by Milton Road, and it is the only road into and out of the area.  If there is standing or flowing water on the road, use extreme caution.  As little as 6 inches of water can stall a car, and a foot of water can float a low-profile vehicle off the road. If your car stalls it will block emergency and high-profile vehicles from traversing the road and could delay emergency response personnel from arriving.  

Securing Utilities

     If the road is covered with water, the sewer service will be shut off.  It is recommended that each household keep several 5-gallon buckets w/lids for waste storage, should it become necessary.  It is recommended that anti-backflow valves be installed on your sewer main to prevent flood water from backing up into your residence.   

     Electrical power is provided by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). The main lines are above ground and not likely to be affected by flooding, however, in the event of extreme flooding individual houses may be affected, and PGE may turn off electrical service. Residences with bottom floor low-level outlets should turn their main off where it enters the house.  

     Gas service is generally propane.  In the event of a flood, turn off your propane at the tank and if necessary weigh down your tank with sandbags in order to keep it from floating out of the cradle.  

     There are two local water providers. In the event of flooding, contamination of the wells is possible; it is recommended that you not drink or use the water until instructed to do so.

 

Evacuation

     If you decide to evacuate, take all medicines, pets, important papers, extra clothing and lock your residence.  Remember that once you leave you might not be able to return until the emergency has terminated.  

Pre and Post Flood Actions

     Recommendations for communications include signing up for Alert Napa County (Everbridge Community, formerly Nixel Alerts) readynapacounty.gov  and having a way to charge your phone should electric service not be available.

     Preparations for flood waters to be as high or higher that 4 feet should include removal of hazardous materials/waste (oils, paints, fuels etc…) and to remove important items that are located on ground levels.

     The Reclamation District has sand and sandbags on site at 1501 Milton Rd for emergency use.  These materials are for levee repair and flood protection. You must bring your own shovel and gloves to fill your bags. If the gate is closed, or to make arrangements to fill sandbags, email nrrdoffice@gmail.com or call 707-255-2996. Check nrrd2109.org for dates/times the gate will be open.
     Additional materials are available at the Napa City Corporation Yard at 720 Jackson St.  Check their website for schedules and emergency updates at www.cityofnapa.org or call 707-257-9541.

 

LEVEE PROBLEMS AND FIXES
 

Settlement

     Levees constantly settle.  They will continue to settle for all time and it should be understood that just because one elevates the levee, the job is not finished.  In years to come, it will need to be elevated again.

Access

     When maintenance or repair is necessary, equipment and fill must have a path to get onto the levee.  It is recommended that all property owners have at least an 8-foot-wide access onto the top of their levees.  If that is not possible, it is recommended that access be secured from neighboring property owners. This access permission should be documented in writing, if possible.

Weight

     If too much weight is placed on top of deep water levees, sloughing can occur as happened in 1960 in the vicinity of 1786 Milton Road.  Sloughing is caused by too much weight on the levees where there is insufficient underwater levee footing.  Care must be taken as to where and how much fill is placed on top of deep water lot levees.  

Stabilization fill at the underwater toe of the deep water levees has been done and is recommended to be repeated as needed.