Travel Tips for Upcoming Holiday Season

Be advised that roads can close without notice if they are determined unsafe for the traveling public.

Below are some other helpful driving tips.

• Before you start your journey, check travel conditions.
• Check tires and wipers to make sure they are in good condition.
• Have a full tank of gas.
• Slow down when driving in adverse weather conditions. Reduce your speed when roadways are icy or wet and your sight of distance is affected.
• Avoid travel during heavy rain or snow events.
• Bring chains if you are traveling to the mountain areas. Weather in the mountain areas is often unpredictable. Be smart by having chains in your vehicle in case chain control is issued.
• Chains should never be put on in the road. Use a safe area to install your chains to not disrupt traffic or put anyone in danger.
• Never use turnouts or park in the middle of the roadway for snow play. Only park in designated areas and do not trespass on private property.
• For long trips bring water, warm clothing, blankets, a charged cell phone and charger, medications, snacks and other necessary items.
• Do not attempt to pass through road closure signs. Never drive through running water or flooded roadways. Remember, turn around, don’t drown.
• Be a safe and courteous driver. It only adds a few minutes to your travel time and make it a more enjoyable drive for everyone.

Thanksgiving Holiday

This time of year as the Autumn air crisps and the leaves start to turn and fall, we start to think of all we have to be thankful for. For us at Pine Cove Water District we are grateful for the clean mountain air, fresh water from the mountain top, the peaceful sound of our quiet community and the wonderful neighbors, family and friends. Next week is Thanksgiving and we hope everyone is able to feast in gratitude with their loved ones. in observance of this holiday the office will be closed on Thursday (Thanksgiving day) and Friday the 28th and 29th.

If you have a water emergency during the holiday thru the weekend please contact the emergency number and the on call staff member will be able to help you. (951)236-9163

For any non-emergency calls feel free to leave a message on the office line and we will get back to you on the next available business day.

Thank you & Happy Thanksgiving!

What’s blooming in PCWD

Around the district there has been a variety of beautiful blooming flowers. A month ago, you could see and smell the beauty of the lilacs around every corner. Here at the District office we have three apple trees that were in full bloom with stunning apple blossoms in may and we were a little concerned when we had those few late May freezes that the apples may not survive. Fortunately, the apples survived the late spring cold weather and now we are looking at hundreds of growing apples. Under our three beautiful apple trees is a raspberry patch that is about to gift us with hundreds of sweet red raspberries.   If you drove past the office in the last couple of weeks you may have noticed the incredibly large tea-rose bush that was covered in pink and white little roses. We also have a variety of milkweed plants that are also in bloom here at the district office and around the district office. The most wonderful part about the milkweed plants is that Monarch Butterflies are attracted to them.

Gardening in our little mountain town can come with its fair share of challenges. If it isn’t the droughts, we have experienced in years past complicating our gardens it could be a late freeze, gophers, bugs or even deer. Here at PCWD we want to help our customers in whatever way we can that is why we offer free mulch and woodchips for free to all our customers. We want to help you make your house and garden thrive. 

Open House Appreciation Day

You are invited to join us for an afternoon with fun and food on August 3rd from 12p.m.-2p.m.

PCWD Phones

Unfortunately at this moment the office phones are down. We are currently working on the issue to get them back up and running. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have a water emergency please contact the emergency cell (951)294-8282. If you would like to contact the Office Manager Becky or the Office Assistant you can contact us directly by email.

becky@pcwd.org lowen@pcwd.org

Thank you for your patience while we take care of this. ~PCWD Staff

Holiday July 4th

This week is the 4^th of July and thanks to the efforts of Caltrans and Aims Construction SR-74 from Hemet to Mt. Center will be open with a pilot car escort starting July 4^th. The schedule for the pilot car from July 4^th thru July 7^th will be from 4am to midnight. Idyllwild will be celebrating Independence Day with the Rotary’s 53^rd annual Parade. The parade starts at 10a.m. and will include Bagpipers, motorcyclist, Corvette Club, a horse drawn stagecoach and much more.  There are many festivities happening on the 4^th and throughout the weekend including a laser light show on the 4^th in the center of town from 9pm-10pm. Various establishments in town with be having live music to enjoy. Please come join us in this beautiful mountain air to celebrate and support our little community.

In Observance of the Independence of our beloved country the Pine Cove Water District Office will be closed Thursday July 4th and Friday July 5th. If you would like to drop your payment off the door slot will be available. If you have a water emergency please call (951)294-8282.

Current Weather and Highway Conditions

Dear Pine Cove Water District customers,

After the snow last night, we have at least two feet of snow on the ground and extremely high snow berms. Currently, three of the four ways off the mountain are closed. Hwy 371 through Anza is the only open route and chains are required except for 4wd vehicles with snow tires.

 Is your water off? Do you have a neighbor or friend that can check for you? Why do we ask? Because we are producing 80 gpm which is twice the normal production in this type of weather.

If you can’t find someone to check and make sure your water is off you can call the office but because of the weather and the work involved to locate your shut off valve the minimum charge will be $100. If the tractor has to be used to remove the snow to locate your meter there will be additional fees. These costs are estimates to recover the cost of the labor and equipment involved.

You can check the current weather by clicking our link above and viewing the webcam off our website. To check current road conditions click the dot link above and enter the highway number.

Per Jerry’s recommendation if you don’t need to come up the mountain just don’t. Give the County and Caltrans a few days to get the roads clear and safe. Only residents will be allowed up the mountain for several days. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call the office.

Best Regards,

Lindsay Owen

Office Assistant

(951)659-2675

Snow Driving… Are You Prepared?

After this weeks great snowstorm, we are thankful for the precipitation. However, with the snow comes an increased risk of dangerous road conditions. Proper preparation and prevention for winter driving weather can help keep you safe.

When the threat of cold weather approaches it’s a good idea to give your car a good checkup to make sure it is winterized for the coming weather. Purchase snow tires or aggressive tires for good traction. Make sure you have the appropriate amount of antifreeze. Check that your headlights, tail lights and defroster are in good working condition. New windshield wipers and winterized wiper fluid will help ensure your windshield will stay free of rain show and debris. For inside preparation of your car keeping some essential items. Snow chains can come in handy and are sometimes necessary. Purchase a snow shovel and kitty litter or sand for digging yourself out of a jam and giving your vehicle traction. Flares, a flashlight and a snow scraper should also be kept in your car in case an emergency situation arises. Proper visibility is essential before you even attempt to venture out in the snow. Make sure your car is clear of all the snow, including the roof.

Just because you have all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicles doesn’t make you unstoppable during winter driving. Four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive can greatly assist you to get going in snow and ice, plus provide extra control when turning. However, they won’t help you stop much faster than a front- or rear-wheel-drive car when you hit that patch of black ice.
Many experts suggest driving super-smoothly in the winter, as if though you don’t have brakes at all, since you don’t know whether you’ll have any grip for braking when you need it. If you have a 2WD vehicle it is imperative to use your chains while driving in snow, slush or ice.

It is best to use the highest precautions when driving on winter roads. When the roads are icy or snowy drive slow enough to have control of your vehicle is safest for you and other drivers. Do not stop and loose momentum while going up hill. Keep a double safe distance between you and the driver in front of you. Remember, it can take up to 10 seconds more to stop your vehicle on winter roads, so don’t ride to close and don’t slam on your brakes.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need chains please get to a safe place to put your chains on.

EWNS Early Warning Notification System

Did you know that Riverside County offers an emergency telephone alerting system? When disasters occur that are unknown to you, REVERSE 911 calls you. Early Warning Notification System (EWNS) allows public safety first responders to rapidly alert and warn the general public in the event of emergencies.

The EWNS is one of a group of alert warning tools used in Riverside County. Any Business or residence in Riverside county that has traditional land line phone service (listed or unlisted) is already a part of the EWNS. Cell phones or VoIP numbers have to be registered to receive these emergency alerts. Just visit Riverside County’s secure website homepage: www.countyofriverside.us and add the number you would like to be notified by.

The EWNS can make up to 250,000 calls per hour to reach the public of Riverside County. Registered phone numbers will be notified in the event of a small, medium or large emergency. It is important for us to get the notification as soon as possible in the event of a wildfire, flood, severe weather, hazardous material warning, law enforcement incidents, etc. Having an early warning can help keep you and your loved ones safe and informed about potential dangers in our community.