In Advance of Storm, Local CERTs Get into Gear

Sent by Rick Van Mell to members of the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Van Mell trains CERT members and also participate in citywide emergency drills.

You may have already heard weather reports for significant wind and rain from Wednesday through Sunday. These storms provide an opportunity for Neighborhood CERTs and CERT-trained individuals to put some of their plans and training to good use. An update on the storms from NOAA is copied below.

Neighborhoods may wish to consider opening their Command Posts, or establish an email Command Post as long as power and Internet are available. Activities can include scheduling hourly sweeps of your neighborhood to locate any downed trees, flooded intersections, or even areas without power. Individuals can review their own local neighborhoods.

Obviously, this will require having PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) suitable for windy and wet conditions, and a rake may be very useful for clearing drains.

The City’s Public Works is currently shifting into Storm Mode and doing what leaf collection and tree loss mitigation can be completed before the first storm arrives. They will be active right through the storm period. Neighborhood CERTs and individuals that find damage should report to Public Works at 650-903-6234.

TIMING

• Storm 1: Beginning Wednesday morning after 2 AM and lasting through evening. 
• Storm 2: Begins North Bay Thursday evening and spreads south by early Friday. Ends Friday evening.
• Storm 3: Begins Sunday morning after 2 AM North Bay and spreads south through the day. Ends late Sunday evening.
• In between storms expect showers to continue, but most significant weather will occur during the three storm systems.

LOCATIONS

• All areas will be impacted. 
• Heaviest rain will be North Bay and higher terrain.
• Strongest winds in the high elevations above 2000 feet.

IMPACTS

*Hazards:

• Gale Warning for all area waters Wednesday early morning through afternoon. http://ow.ly/i/1aPYX
• Wind advisory everywhere except Santa Clara Valley and SE Monterey and San Benito Counties http://ow.ly/i/1aPYX
• Hydrologic Outlook for potential flooding 

*Impact 1 (Heavy Rainfall through Sunday) :

• West Facing Mountains North Bay 10-15"
• High Terrain above 2000 feet North Bay 6-10"
• Valley Floors Bay area/North Bay 3-6"
• Valley Floors south of Bay area 2-4"
• Southeast Monterey/San Benito 1-3"
• Five day rainfall forecast: http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/precipForecast.php?cwa=RSA&day=12345&img=6

*Impact 2 (Damaging South Winds Wednesday):

• Mountains 30-40 MPH gust 60 MPH
• Foothills/Coastline 25-35 MPH gust 50 MPH
• Interior Valleys 15-25 MPH gust 35 MPH
• Trees and power lines will be downed in the stronger wind gusts

*Impact 3 (Flooding):

• Most significant flooding North Bay
• Initial minor flooding Wednesay - more this weekend
• Flooding is expected on small creeks and streams
• Rises on Russian, Napa River expected by Weekend
• Flash Flood threat in favored high terrain, steep locations
• Flooding in urban, poorly drained areas possible
• Storm drain debris clogging will make problems worse.
• Some potential for landslide/mudslide in favored wet hillside locations near seeps/springs—especially North Bay higher terrain. 

*Impact 4 (Thunderstorms):

• Isolated thunderstorms will possibly enhance local wind gusts and bring lightning with Storm 1 on Wednesday.