With the coming storm bringing heavy rain and strong wind, the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services would like to remind the public of the following:
- Be prepared for an evacuation. Gather supplies that will last for several days after the disaster for everyone living in your home. Don't forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly.
- Prepare a basic emergency kit that will contain the items you may need.
- Several changes of clothes
- Hygiene products
- Portable cell phone charger and spare cables
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Fresh drinking water
- Pet food
- Sandbag stations are open. Five sandbag locations are open for residents in the unincorporated areas of the County:
- Branch Center (3847 Branch Center Rd.)
- Orangevale Community Center (6826 Hazel Ave.)
- Westside Park (6555 West 2nd St.)
- Wilton Fire Station (10661 Alta Mesa Road)
- Point Pleasant United Methodist Church (3329 Point Pleasant Road)
Sacramento County supplies the sand and bags, but residents will need to bring a shovel. Residents living within city boundaries will need to check with their city public works departments for sandbag information.
There is an additional sandbag location at the corner of Dillard and Davis Roads. Sacramento County residents are welcome to stop by while supplies last. The site is private and not operated by Sacramento County. It will not be restocked once the sandbags are gone. Residents will also need to bring shovels to this location.
- Prepare for wind. Secure your fence and yard items that may blow around in the wind.
- Watch for tree limbs. For downed trees or branches in the roadway, County residents can go online or call 311 (or 916-875-4311 if calling from out of the area).
- Avoid Street Flooding. If you see street flooding or any traffic hazard due to the storm, call 3-1-1. Do not drive through standing water – turn around, don't drown! And when it comes to flooded and closed roads, obey the signs – they are there for your safety.
- Prepare for power outages. In case of a power outage, use flashlights and do not use unattended candles. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve your food.
- Heat your home safely. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. It is NOT ok to heat your home with any kind of BBQ, propane heater, or any other fuel combustion equipment due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. ONLY use heaters installed with your home, and those designed for indoor use. Make sure that your natural gas furnaces and other appliances are in good, clean working order.
- When raining, reduce your vehicle speed. Increase the distance and time needed to stop your vehicle on wet roads.
- Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during and after a disaster. Secure alternate room accommodations or shelter if you need to evacuate.
- Check on elderly family members, friends or neighbors. Seniors and those with serious medical conditions are at risk. Check on community members that might be vulnerable to ensure they are safe and warm.
- Don't Forget About Pets. Bring your pets inside during the storm. Before letting pets into the yard, double-check that fences have not been knocked down and gates have not blown open. Pets should wear their ID tags even when they are indoors and owners should make sure their microchips are up-to-date.
- Sign-up for Sacramento Alert. If you haven't already, sign up for direct alerts to your phone or email through Sacramento-alert.org. These alerts will only be sent out for critical emergency information that impacts your regional area. Sign up today!
- Call 211 in Sacramento or go to 2-1-1 online for information on emergency shelter services.
Stay up to date about the current storm at Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services website.