🌱 Flood Watch + Sign Up For 'Alert OC' + Become a Park Volunteer

Hello again, everybody! It's Paula Constance, your host of the Orange County Daily. Let's get this Tuesday started off right, with a quick dive into the most important things happening in O.C. today, including...

• A flood watch has been issued for our area.
• Sign up for "Alert OC" for real time weather alerts.
• COVID-19 numbers in Orange County are holding steady.
• Become an O.C. Parks volunteer!

But first, today's weather:

Heavy rain in the morning. High: 60 Low: 45.

Are you a business owner or marketer in Orange County who wants to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales? If that's you, then I invite you to see how our newsletter sponsorships combine our local audience reach with your expertise to attract new customers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Orange County:

1. A flood watch is in effect for our area through Tuesday, with possible wind gusts up to 40 m.p.h. A winter storm with heavy rain and strong winds will arrive in Orange County "late Monday through Tuesday evening." A flood watch is in effect for Orange County's coastal and inland areas including Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Fullerton, Mission Viejo and the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills. Find out more here: (Orange County Patch)
2. "If we can't reach you, we can't alert you!" the Orange County Sheriff's Department posted in a recent news release. The OCSD is encouraging Orange County residents to sign up for "Alert OC," a system that rapidly sends out alert messages to residents "when there is a perceived, emerging, or imminent situation that may require community action," including evacuations. Find out more and sign up here: (Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA via Facebook)
3. Finally, encouraging COVID-19 news in Orange County. The latest data from The Orange County Health Care Agency reported that coronavirus patients in Orange County hospitals dropped by 26 patients to 320. It's a trend in the right direction. The Orange County Health Care Agency said, "Orange County’s COVID-19 metrics remained relatively stable over the past week," with 32 deaths from the illness. (msnNOW)
4. If you love Orange County parks and the great outdoors, apply to become an O.C. Parks docent! Orange County Parks is looking for volunteers to educate, inspire and connect people "with the unique natural and cultural resources found in Orange County." Lead nature hikes and participate in other park activities. Find out more and apply here: (OC Parks via Instagram)

Today in Orange County:

• Segments [Virtual] - Garden Grove Education Association (All Day)
• Tustin Economic Development Meeting - Tustin Chamber of Commerce (8:30 AM)
• Builders' Club -- Library of the Canyons (10:30 AM)
• Storytime Dance Party! Seal Beach Library (10:30 AM)
• Orange County Health Care Agency Vaccine Clinic at Central Library (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Cookie kickoff: "Hello from the 2023 Cookie Kickoff!" (Girl Scouts of Orange County via Facebook)
• Supercross at Angels Stadium: "A photo gallery from the Supercross event at Angels Stadium this weekend." (Orange County Register via Facebook)
• "Orange Unified fires its superintendent despite community outcry" :"Board members gave Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen a 30-day notice of termination and placed her on paid administrative leave until then." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Storage Valet — (Visit website)
• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit Website)
• Uptown Cheapskate — (Visit website)
• Tablerock boarding kennels — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• New Year Market at Unit #110 (January 14)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (January 20)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and producer. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Daily? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com