STORM WARNING
Light rain will begin later Wedensday in the North Bay. There is no change in the prediction of the powerful storm system heading this way expecting to reach the North Bay late Wednesday afternoon to early evening. Models continue to indicate the storm is expected to intensify in the early hours of Thursday morning and very heavy rain will continue into the afternoon on Thursday. 3-5 inches of rain is possible locally. Very strong winds continue to be predicted during this event as well as high surf. The wind will begin to taper-off mid-day Thursday and rain will then taper-off later in the day on Thursday leading to clear weather on Saturday.
The County Office of Emergency Services is forecasting that the bulk of storm will occur from 10 pm Wednesday to 1 pm Thursday. Up to seven inches may fall, ending Thursday evening.
High tide will be 1.75 feet lower than last week and will occur around 4 am Thursday. Winds will be up to 35 mph sustained, and gusting up to 60 mph is possible.
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The Town of Corte Madera strongly encourages businesses and residents to prepare for the upcoming storm. The following lists potential issues and resources available to help you prepare for the many issues this storm may present.
FLOODING
If your home or business is in a low-lying area with a history of flooding, please take the time now to prepare for the possibility of flooding:
Sand bag filling stations are available behind Fire Station 14 (342 Tamalpais Blvd.) and on Paradise Drive in the parking lot adjacent to the San Clemente Park / Cove School fields. All supplies are provided. Note: Sand bags are useful in preventing flooding but may not be 100% watertight. Properly filled and placed sandbags are meant to act as a barrier to divert moving water around, instead of through, buildings.
If a blocked catch basin or stormdrain is causing flooding contact the Department of Public Works at 415-927-5057 during regular business hours and non-emergency dispatch after hours 415-927-5150. If the blocked storm drain is causing an immediate danger, call 911 from any land or mobile phone.
Please do not leave piles of leaves in the roadway. Please rake them up and place them in your green bin for disposal. Leaves left in the street will block storm drains and may lead to flooding.
More information on high tides, click here: http://tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/plotcomp.shtml?station_info=9414290+san+francisco,+ca
More current local weather, click here: http://weather.tcmmail.org/
POWER OUTAGES
Have flashlights and battery-operated radios with fresh batteries ready for updates on storm conditions and power outages. Tune in to KQED 88.5 FM, KCBS 740 AM or KGO 810 AM.
Fire Officials recommend that residents do not use candles because of the risk of fire. Use battery-powered light sources.
Anticipate power outages and bookmark PG&E’s power outage page: http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/outages/index.page?WT.mc_id=Vanity_outagemap
DOWNED TREES
Downed Trees and Limbs:
If the tree is within the Town limits of Corte Madera and is on Town property, or if the tree is blocking a public right of way or roadway contact the Department of Public Works at 415-927-5057 during regular business hours and non-emergency dispatch after hours at 415-927-5150.
If the tree is on private property or has fallen onto private property contact the property owner. If the tree is touching electrical wires contact PG&E at 800-743-500 or non-emergency dispatch at 415-927-5150. If the tree or limb is causing an immediate danger, call 911 from any land or mobile phone.
DRIVE WITH CAUTION
When driving in the rain, use extra caution and always have your headlights on. Remember, if you turn on your windshield wipers, turn on your headlights.
Please obey the speed limits and follow other traffic at a safe distance.
Do not drive through standing water. Only 6 inches of water can be enough to stall your car and cause irreparable damage to the engine.
Please anticipate road closures and traffic back-ups due to flooding, downed trees or landslides. Check traffic conditions before you hit the road: http://www.511.org/
CREATE / CHECK YOUR EMERGENCY KIT
A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Visit http://readymarin.org/ for more information.
STAY INFORMED
In an emergency, communication is crucial to the safety of all residents and businesses. Please bookmark or sign up for the communications methods listed below:
We will provide updates about the storm as needed. Go to www.townofcortemadera.org for the latest information.
Emergency officials use the Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) to deliver incident-specific information or potentially life-saving instruction to the precise geographic area(s) affected. Sign up for TENS emergency alerts: http://www.alertmarin.org/
Sign up for eNotifications and receive any emergency notifications in your inbox: http://townofcortemadera.org/list.aspx
Sign up for Nextdoor- a private, neighborhood-based social network.
Central Marin Police Authority: http://www.centralmarinpolice.org/
Town of Corte Madera: http://www.townofcortemadera.org
WHEN TO CALL 911
In an emergency, call 911 immediately from any wired or wireless phone. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance such as a fire, a car crash (especially if someone is injured), or a medical emergency where a person is requiring immediate medical attention.
If you hear the Town Emergency Siren, do not call 911. Instead, tune in to 1330 AM, which is operated by the Town of Corte Madera, and carries messages of evacuation instructions updated on as-needed basis during emergency situations. Or tune in to KQED 88.5 FM, KCBS 740 AM or KGO 810 AM or local TV stations for further information. You can also check the Town of COrte Madera's website and the other sites listed above for information.
Finally, you can track the storm via radar at: http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=MUX&product=NCR&overlay=11101111&loop=yes
