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Live Emergency Updates

About Our
Organization

Valley of the Falls Community Center, Inc. is a 501(c)3 community non-profit organization that serves the communities of Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, and Angelus Oaks, California. It owns and operates Big Falls Lodge in Forest Falls, California as the Gail D. Cox Community Center and a site for sheltering in place during emergency situations. 

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Big Falls Lodge the Gail D. Cox Community Center
About

Emergency Situations
in 
Our Communities

Rescue at Big Falls, Forest Falls, California photo by Stone Cabin Photography

Photo: Stone Cabin Photography

Wildfires

Wildfires

Wildfires in our mountains are a very real threat. In September 2020, the El Dorado Fire (pictured here) burned through all of our communities, causing evacuations and widespread forest devastation.  Clearing branches and deadfall from around your home and creating defensible space is critical.  Browse the links below for information about how to protect your home and family and find out what to do in the event of a fire. 

What To Do in the Event of a Fire

El Dorado fire DR 1.jpg

Photo: Stone Cabin Photography

Floods

Our communities have a long history of catastrophic floods. Winter floods have destroyed homes, roads, and bridges many times. Summer flash floods have caused loss of life. Floods can isolate us for days, weeks, and even months. The best ways to prepare for floods are to keep a close eye on weather forecasts, know where washes and creeks are in relation to your home and have enough supplies of food, medicines, and fuel at home to sustain you for several days. 

What to Do in the Event of a Flood

How to Prepare

Torrey Pines Bridge edited.jpg

Photo: James Dyer

Floods
Slides

Slides

The ridges surrounding our homes are steep and most feature loose shale, large boulders, and soil that shifts easily in heavy weather and earthquakes. Slides have been known to cut off roadways, isolate parts of our towns, and damage property. This includes the occasional avalanche during very snowy winters. Knowing where vulnerable areas are and what is above your home will help you to avoid threats. 

What to Do in the Event of a Slide

How to Be Prepare

Image by Wolfgang Hasselmann

Snow

The beauty and hush of a snowy day in our mountains is something that we often look forward to. However, it brings concerns with it, too, when ice and significant snowfall can bring down heavy branches from the trees and electrical lines, make the road conditions treacherous, and cause stress on structures. Snow also brings lots of visitors who can sometimes create dangerous situations and clog roads.  Preparation for snow should include watching forecasts, having alternate light and heat sources, and having equipment handy for clearing snow.  If you are at home during a major snowstorm stay there, if you are down the hill, prepare to shelter in place.  

What to Do in a Snow Emergency

Snow with branches Micah Kiter.jpg

Photo: Micah Kiter

Snow

Earthquakes

Our communities lie in the San Andreas Fault Zone, and in fact, the fault crosses highway 38 by the Mill Creek Ranger Station.  Our proximity to the San Andreas makes us especially vulnerable, and in the event of a large earthquake, it may take some time for emergency services to reach us. Even more, large rocks and debris from the surrounding ridges can be very precarious.  Know what your risks are in the event of an earthquake, and be prepared by taking the time to review the resources below. 

What to Do During An Earthquake

How to Prepare 

Image by Dave Goudreau
Earthquakes

Wildlife

Sharing our lives with wildlife can be a joy. However, there are dangers inherent in living together for both people and animals in our communities.  Allowing wild animals access to human food and garbage is reckless and can be deadly.  Be aware of rattlesnakes around your home or while out walking in the warmer months.  The links below offer education about living well with our wild neighbors.  

What to Do in a Wildlife Encounter

How to Prepare

BEAR DR.jpg

Photo: Stone Cabin Photography

Wildlife

Accidents & Crime

Occasionally, accidents and crime affect us in important ways.  A major crash on the highway can keep us from getting home, and a few years ago a manhunt locked the entire mountain down. Living together in close community helps us care for one another, but when something goes wrong, there are resources to keep us safer and prepare for the unexpected.  

What to Do in an Accident or Crime 

How to Prepare 

Traffic accident.jpg

Photo: Jeff Schaefer

Accidents & Crime

Get Involved -
Be Prepared!

Donate

VFCCi is funded entirely by the generosity of the communities it serves. If you would like to donate to help fund programs, events, and new initiatives in our mountain communities, simply click below. Thank you for your support! 

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Volunteer

Whether it's helping to organize a fun community event,  serving on the board of directors, providing skills to building projects, or working as a volunteer with the children in our school, helping hands are always so appreciated.  Click below and let's start working together for the good of our communities!

Donate & Volunteer
Contact
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