BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - Butte County is moving fast to clear drains and protect roads ahead of the rainy season.

A grader could be seen smoothing out a road filling the potholes to prepare for the winter season.

Public Works Direct Dennis Schmidt said crews start prepping at the beginning of the summer by repairing any damage that could cause flooding.

Schmidt said they are currently working on areas near upper Skyway, paving roads in the south region of the county, drainage operations in Magalia and grading gravel roads in Gridley.

"We have a huge county and we have a limited amount of resources and we try to get as far ahead of things as we can," said Schmidt. "It doesn't always work out the way we planned but we try to be organized and prepared and have the county as prepared as we can to accept that first big rainfall of the year."

Schmidt encourages people to clear drains on their own properties and to get rid of any kind of wood debris or leaves in front of homes that could cause problems for public works.

Since the beginning of the year, the Public Works Department has received almost 950 road-related work orders.