East Palo Alto: flood-threat alert

The City of East Palo Alto is encouraging residents to be prepared for the upcoming storm, which is expected to peak on Thursday.

California Conservation Corps crews and city staff are filling sandbags Wednesday afternoon and installing them along Woodland Avenue and Verbena Street.

Residents may fill and pick up sandbags at the city’s corporation yard at 150 Tara Road until 4 p.m. today.

They may also sign up at SMC ALERT for warnings and information.

Other tips in the news release are:

* Have supplies ready in case of an extended power outage or evacuation (place important documents in waterproof portable container, food, batteries, blankets, radio;

* Check on your neighbors. Be aware who may need help in case of an evacuation;

* Clear leaves from gutter and storm drains, secure outdoor objects (protect hazardous waste paint/oil from water; bring in decorations patio furniture, etc.);

* Volunteer to help;

* Monitor updates to the forecast: Radio: 1670 AM or Cable Channel 26; and

* Prepare to evacuate upon request by authorities.

A stormwatch hotline at 1-877-238-3030 will offer updated information about the storm. In case of an emergency please call 911.

Although the city has not opened its Emergency Operations Center, staff are monitoring San Francisquito Creek, and updated information will be posted on the hotline.

“City staff has been working around the clock to ensure that the City is informed, prepared, and protected. We are as prepared as we can be. We’ll be monitoring the progress of the storm, and respond accordingly as it progresses,” Mayor Lisa Gauthier said in a press release.

By Palo Alto Weekly staff

By Palo Alto Weekly staff

By Palo Alto Weekly staff