It's been widely reported that lots of rain and harsh winds are coming to San Francisco. What's been less reported is what are you supposed to do to prep for "the storm of the decade."
The Bay Area is expecting winds up to 50 mph and as much as eight inches of rain in some parts starting Thursday. So aside from remembering an umbrella and waterproof shoes, residents are being asked to clear their properties of leaves and other debris that could clog storm drains. There's good reason for that: Clogged storm drains leads to heavy flooding.
After you've done that, get ready for power outages: stock up on candles, food, and batteries.
Next, go grab yourself some free sandbags from the
Department of Public Works. City officials are handing them out at 2323 Cesar Chavez St. (entrance at Kansas and Marin streets). There is a limit of 10 sandbags per address.
During the storm, avoid the roads if possible. Either that, or drive slowly, turn on your headlights, and watch for deep puddles.
Don't worry, you're not the only one that has some work to do. City crews have cleared some 400 catch basins and completed nearly 800 service requests around San Francisco since the rain started last week. But there are still more than 23,000 catch basins and some 1,000 miles of sewer pipe to maintain, which is why the city needs your help.
“A little effort can go a long way in helping us reduce the risk of localized flooding,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru.
If San Francisco residents spot a catch basin obstructed by leaves or debris, and conditions are safe, the city is urging residents to take action by disposing or composting the material. For clogs related to debris inside the catch basin, please report them to the City’s 311 Customer Service Center by calling 311 or using the free app for iPhone and Android.
Now for the important things:
