Dozens Of People Move Tons Of Rocks Into Place At Oroville Emergency Spillway

• Feb. 16: Crews Work Around The Clock To Shore Up Oroville Spillway As New Storms Hit Northern Calif.

UPDATE 5:45 p.m.: Engineers at Lake Oroville say work is being performed around the clock by nearly 100 people to get the emergency spillway in safe condition for upcoming storms and spring runoff.

Capital Public Radio's Bob Moffitt made his way to the area near the base of the main spillway Wednesday afternoon for an update on current conditions.

UPDATE 2:00 p.m.: The largest shelter for Oroville spillway evacuees is still housing a few hundred Northern California residents.

The Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico had 1,600 people at its peak.

Despite the fact the evacuation order was lifted Tuesday, some who live downstream from the Oroville Dam don't feel comfortable returning home just yet.

Amanda Ree with the Red Cross says the situation at the shelter today remains dynamic.

"There remain some folks, who for a lot of different reasons, were uncomfortable with risks returning home," says Ree. "So they remain here and we remain just in an active response mode until this next storm passes."

Ree wants those still worried that the advisory could escalate back to an evacuation order to know the camp will remain available to them.

Also, affected residents should remain prepared with necessities and medicines within easy reach.

ORIGINAL:

The California Department of Water Resources continues to regulate outflow from Lake Oroville Wednesday to reduce water.

Officials say lake levels are dropping as crews continue making repairs to the spillway.

Immediate evacuation orders were reduced Tuesday to evacuation warnings.

All schools in Butte County are closed through Friday, Feb. 17, except those located in Chico and Paradise. 

Capital Public Radio will follow a live press briefing for the latest updates Wednesday at noon. 

-Capital Public Radio Staff