Being Prepared for Winter Storms

Throughout January and February, we in Sonoma County can expect there to be many rainy days. As we recently learned during a storm that lasted a few hours but left many without power for as long as six days, any rainstorm has the potential to cause flooding, downed trees, and/or electrical outages throughout the County.

In Windsor it is common for there to be sufficient flooding to make the road impassable on Starr Road at Mark West Station Road and Eastside Road at Old Redwood Highway. Other areas are subject to at least minor flooding.

As with any significant event, emergency response resources—fire, police, medical, PG&E, etc.—are often overwhelmed. Therefore you must be able to take care of yourself and your family, sometimes for a day or two if you are in a remote area or if the storm has caused widespread damage.

Here’s what you can do to prepare:

• Have plenty of battery-operated lighting available. Try to avoid using candles; instead, purchase a camping lantern that uses light tubes.
• Have a flashlight in each room.
• Headlamps are great for providing light while allowing you to have both hands free.
• Have a battery powered radio that will allow you to listen for storm information and/or alerts.
• Have plenty of batteries.
• Have plenty of water, especially if you are on a well that does not work when there is no electricity.
• Purchase food and gasoline before the storm hits: cash registers, ATMs, gas pumps do not work without electricity.
• Secure loose objects on your property—patio furniture, garbage cans, etc.—that may be become projectiles in high winds.
• If your property is subject to flooding, get needed sandbags ahead of time and put them in place.

If you are outside during or immediately after a storm, it very important that you remember the following:

• NEVER try to drive through flooded portions of any road. It is impossible to tell how deep the water is, and it doesn’t take much for your car to begin to float, which puts you in danger and puts those who have to rescue you in danger.
• NEVER go near any downed lines. The most benign looking cable can be deadly upon contact. Call 9-1-1. If lines are down near your home, keep your children and pets inside.

These few, simple things will help you be as safe and as comfortable as possible.
 

Past Monthly Safety Messages:

Monthly Safety Message: Holiday Safety
Monthly Safety Message: October is Disaster Preparedness Month
Monthly Safety Message: Wildland/Vegetation Fires
Monthly Safety Message: The Do's and DO NOTs of Calling 9-1-1
Monthly Safety Message: Protect Your Most Precious Cargo—Your Child
Monthly Safety Message: Holiday Safety
Monthly Safety Message: Use Caution with Turkey Fryers
Monthly Safety Message: Tips for Halloween Trick-or-Treating
Monthly Safety Message: The Do's and DO NOTs of Calling 9-1-1
Monthly Safety Message: 4th of July Safety
Monthly Safety Message: Defensible Space
Monthly Safety Message: Disaster Preparedness
Monthly Safety Message: Move Right for Sirens & Lights
Monthly Safety Message: Saving A Life…Heart Attack & Stroke
Monthly Safety Message: Protect Your Most Precious Cargo—Your Child
Monthly Safety Message: Holiday Safety
Monthly Safety Message: Fireplace, Wood Stove, & Space Heaters
Monthly Safety Message: Candle Safety
Monthly Safety Message: Disaster Preparedness
Monthly Safety Message: How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Monthly Safety Message: Wildland Fire Safety Tips
Monthly Safety Message: Water Safety
Monthly Safety Message: Rags & Ashes — Caution Required
Monthly Safety Message: Change your Smoke Detector Battery
Monthly Safety Message: How to Survive a Fire in Your Home

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