Storms

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We're Getting Storm Ready, Are You?

The County of San Mateo Department of Emergency Management cautions residents to prepare for severe weather, sign up for emergency alerts, monitor weather forecasts and avoid driving during heavy rains.

For families or individuals in need of shelter due to the cold temperatures and inclement weather, please call Fair Oaks Community Center (650) 780-7500 or visit us at 2600 Middlefield Road, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If after hours, call (650) 780-7100 (Police Dispatch) to access emergency shelter. We are here to help. 

Click on the buttons below to watch quick videos on how to get storm ready!

 

 Storm Series Sandbags (English)

A Guide for Using Sandbags

Storm Series Sandbags (Spanish)

Un guía para el uso de sacos de arena

Chinese Sandbags Screenshot

风暴防范系列: 沙袋使用指南

Get Connected

Check the following to stay up to date on storm-related information and local resources:

  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you must travel, do not drive into flooded areas. A foot of water can float many cars, and two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles and pick-ups.
  • Preparedness Tips. Keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Here are preparedness tips from Ready.gov.
  • Know your zone. Emergency managers have carved the Peninsula into more than 300 zones on an online, publicly available map supported by Zonehaven, a California-based company under contract with the County of San Mateo. Each zone is assigned a short code. All residents can enter an address to find their zone. In an emergency, first responders will issue evacuation or other orders and advisories based on the zones. This information will be pushed out via the news media, social media such as Twitter, emergency alert notifications and other platforms.
  • 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. Do not call 911 for a non-emergency.
  • Redwood City Public Works: (650) 780-7464, 1400 Broadway. Call to report fallen trees, flooding, sewer spills, blocked storm drains. Visit to obtain sandbags.
  • Non-Emergency Police/Fire: Please call Dispatch at (650) 780-7100.
  • Emergencies: Call 9-1-1
  • Sign-up for Emergency Alertswww.RedwoodCity.org/EmergencyAlerts
  • Power Outage, Gas Leaks: Pacific Gas & Electric 1-800-743-5002. For downed power lines, call 9-1-1 first and then PG&E.
  • Road Conditions: CalTrans traffic info or call 1-800-427-7623
  • Evacuation Information: Know Your Zone. Zonehaven provides the community with critical evacuation updates, resources and the latest updates on active incidents. Visit www.ZoneHaven.com to learn more.
  • Unhoused Emergency Shelter Info: Unhoused families or individuals in need of shelter due to inclement weather, please call Fair Oaks Community Center at 650-780-7500 or visit at 2600 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm. If after 5 pm or on the weekend, please call 650-780-7100 (Police Dispatch) to access emergency shelter.
  • County Winter Storm Resource Support Flyer: Red Cross Disaster Recovery Services, resources for mental health, Core Service Agencies for Basic Needs, and more. See flyer in English and Spanish.
Tips for Before, During and After Storms I Consejos para Antes, Durante and Después de Tormenta
Information on Dampness and Mold Growth Indoors I Información Sobre la Humedad y el crecimiento de Moho en Interiores
Tenant and Landlord Resources I Recursos para Inquilinos y Propietarios
PG&E Factsheets: Home Safety During Heavy Rainfall, Flood and Power Outages

Storm Preparedness Checklist

The community is encouraged to take precautions and prepare for the upcoming storm season. View the info below for helpful resources and tips on how to be storm ready.

Winter Storm Preparedness Flyer: English, en Español

Top 10 Storm Preparation Tips
1 Clear gutters and catch basins of debris and leaves. Help keep our
creeks and Bay clean by never dumping into a catch basin.
2 For property owners with natural creek beds on their property, clear
creek beds of debris.
3 Sign-up for Emergency Alerts and Notifications Here.
4 Build a Storm Kit: Keep needed emergency supplies in your home, at work,
and in your car and discuss emergency plans with your family.
5 Build a sandbag wall to channel water to a drain or gutter. Sandbags are
available at 1400 Broadway.
6 Have plywood, plastic sheeting, and other emergency building materials
available in advance and keep handy for waterproofing.
7 Notify San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District of any
standing water issues: http://www.smcmvcd.org
8 Learn more about the City's rain barrel rebates to save rain water for
residential gardening and other uses at home: http://bawsca.org/conservation/rain-barrel-rebate-program
9 Know your flood zone designation and your specific flood hazard. Obtain
flood insurance if you are in a high-risk flood area. Homeowner insurance
policies don't cover flood damage.
10 Plan in advance to assist your neighbors or have them help you.

 

Resources