Peninsula Residents Urged To Prepare For Next Storm

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County officials are urging residents to ready for more extreme weather.

A relentless series of powerful storms that started Dec. 26 is expected to bring more extreme weather as soon as this weekend.

The Bay Area is expected to get a break Friday, after a “bomb cyclone”-fueled storm killed at least two people including a toddler and caused widespread flooding and property damage throughout the Bay Area. Winds associated with the storm topped out at 85 mph in Marin County.

Adam Ely, who serves as a deputy county attorney and is heading the county’s storm response, is urging residents to pack an emergency kit in case they lose power.

“With a slight break in the weather, now is the time to prepare for the next wave of storms,” Ely said in a statement.

“Make sure you pack some water and food in case you get stuck in your car,” Ely said. “And be sure you have a working flashlight.”

The pattern is expected to persist through Jan. 19, according to a National Weather Service bulletin.

“The consistent stream of moisture being funneled out of the tropical Pacific will continue into Saturday and gradually expand into more central portions of the state,” the agency said.

For more information, visit San Mateo County's website.

Below is a list of recommendations:

Preparedness

Evacuations are always possible. If you’re ordered to evacuate, leave quickly. Here’s what to pack in an emergency kit. (Water, food and a flashlight are must-haves.)

Download a printable version to take with you to the store. Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.

Road closures and travel advisories

Caltrans provides a look-up tool for state-operated roads and highways. You can also call 1-800-427-7623 for current highway conditions.

The County provides a map and look-up tool with local hazardous conditions, including road closures and advisories (scroll to find map).

County Parks are closed at least through Thursday. Check the County Parks website for updates.
Assistance & Resources

Call 9-1-1 only in emergencies. An emergency is any serious medical problem (chest pain, seizure, bleeding), any type of fire (business, car, building), any life-threatening situation (fights, person with weapons) or to report crimes in progress.

Residents in need of storm-related, non-emergency assistance should call 2-1-1.

The 2-1-1 line can connect residents in need of shelter to County resources.

The County also provides links to resources in the county’s 20 cities.

Sandbag pick-up locations

The County provides a map to pick-up locations for residents in the unincorporated areas, which includes most of the coastside.

Here is a list of sandbag pick-up locations for cities, with contact information to confirm availability.

Emergency alerts
The County encourages all residents to sign up for SMC Alert, which sends emergency messages to email, cell phones and other devices and landline telephones.

Alert types include fire, weather, major utility outages and disaster notifications.
Pacific Gas & Electric has an outage map and lets you sign up for alerts by email, text or phone.

Downed trees

If the branches are entangled in power lines, stay at least 25 feet away and call 9-1-1 immediately. Then, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

If you live in a city, contact your department of public works with questions or requests for service.

The County’s Road Maintenance Division is responsible for emergency repairs and tree removal on the County’s 315 miles of roads. Contact the Department of Public Works with questions or requests for service.

Health & Safety Guidelines for Residents with Flooded Homes

San Mateo County Health urges residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their families. Floodwater may contain raw sewage, animal waste, toxic substances, chemical compounds, fungus, bacteria, and other harmful materials.

School updates

The San Mateo County Office of Education provides updates on school closures. You can also find and contact your local school district.

For more information, visit San Mateo County's website.

— Bay City News contributed to this report