Hollister police offered an update on the winter storms causing havoc in San Benito County.
According to the HPD:
The City of Hollister and region had significant weather related activity this morning. Chief Westrick ordered the opening of the Emergency Operations Center at 8:10 a.m. due to the abundance of weather related calls for service overburdening public safety and public works ability to answer those calls.
Currently the City of Hollister has logged approximately 65 trees down due to high local wind gusts and sustained winds.16 trees have been confirmed to have been blocking roadways. Most of these blockages are being actively cleared at this time. There were also four seperate gas leak reports at different locations throughout the City of Hollister. All gas leaks have been investigated and deemed safe. There are still several roadways closed due to reported damage related to the gas leaks. Those road closures will remain in place until all repairs or dangerous conditions have been mitigated.
Hollister area public safety responded to many calls for service this morning. All available resources in the county & city were utilized during this time for incidents all over the region.
Since this morning, calls for service for both public works and public safety have slowed significantly and have become manageable within available resources. Chief Westrick ordered the Emergency Operations Center closed at 1217 PM.
The City of Hollister Public Works Department will continue to work with all available crews to clear downed trees, debris and assisiting with general life safety issues until all hazards have been mitigated.
Hollister Police and Hollister Fire Department will remain at increased staffing levels until the weather event has passed.
The City of Hollister would like to thank our agency partners at San Benito County Sheriffs Office for assitance and the San Benito County Office of Emergency Services for technical support.
For those needing assitance from Hollister Public Works for weather related issues can call (831) 636-4377.
