Here Comes the Rain Again

We’re set to get some much needed rain this week! The heaviest bands of rain are expected Thursday, along with some gusty winds.

County street and water crews will be continuing ongoing preventative maintenance activities and will have crews on call 24/7.

Rake your leaves. Raking leaves can prevent flooding by keeping storm drains clear.
Report Flooding – Call (916) 875-RAIN (7246) to report localized flooding
Turn Around –Don’t Drown. If a street is flooded, turn around. Don’t assume you can make it.
Prepare for wind. Secure yard items that may blow around. For downed power lines, stay away and call 9-1-1 immediately. Prepare now for the possibility of loss of power.
Know your flood hazard. Is your property subject to flooding? Are you in a repetitively flooded area? It’s important to familiarize yourself with our region’s flooding history.
Buy flood insurance. Protect your investment in your property! Take advantage of a low cost, Preferred Rate policy.
Check out water levels in local streams in real time on the County Water Resources website.
Sand bags – Four Self-serve sandbag locations are open in the unincorporated area.
Remember all sites are self-serve, so please bring your own shovel.
Reduce your vehicle speed. Wet roads increase the distance and time needed to stop your vehicle. Also, if the temperature stays below 32 degrees, there is a high probability that black ice will form. Be extra cautious when going over bridges and/or overpasses. Give yourself extra spacing between vehicles in front of you.
Watch for tree limbs. As temperatures dip and the wind picks up, trees become vulnerable to limbs snapping. In instances of trees fallen in roads or right–of-ways, County residents can call 916-875-4311 for more information.
Check on elderly family members, friends, or neighbors. Elderly people and those with serious medical conditions are at risk. Please be sure to check in on community members that might be vulnerable during this cold spell.
Bring your pets indoors. Saturated soil and strong winds can topple fences, gates and trees allowing your pet to escape. Lightning and thunder scares most pets and can cause them to bolt, so ensure your pet is micro‐chipped, licensed, and have them wear a collar and ID tags. A dog or cat left outside in severe cold weather can die quickly from exposure. Except for exercise and walks, all dogs and cats are safer indoors during the winter. Bring your pets inside when temperatures start to dip near freezing. Make sure they have a warm draft-free place indoors with a dry mat or blanket that they can lie on.
Carbon Monoxide is a “silent killer.” It is not OK to heat the inside of your home with any kind of BBQ, propane heater, or any other fuel fired equipment. Only use heaters installed with your home and those designed to be used indoors. Make sure that your natural gas furnaces and other appliances are in good, clean working order.
Insulate outdoor pipes that lead into your home to prevent freezing. Seal with caulk around the pipes that lead into and out of your home. Inside your home, leave bathroom and under sink cabinets open to help warm the water. If your pipes freeze, leave your tap on and call the plumber. You can defrost your pipes using a hair dryer on a low setting, working your way slowly from the faucet to where your pipe enters the wall. County residents who need to have their water turned off in order to make repairs to their lines may call 916-875-RAIN or 875-7246 for more information.
Please note: Trees or branches that fall on private roads or property are the responsibility of the property owner. Property owners should contact a private tree service for fallen trees or branches on private property.
Sign-up for Emergency Alerts. This system alerts residents about emergency events and other important public safety information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. www.sacramento-alert.org
Where to get help. Call 211 in Sacramento for information on shelters and other services for people in need.
Learn more about how to stay safe during fog and cold weather.