Weather Alerts

The state of California has an alert system for serious weather conditions, called the Emergency Digital Information System, or EDIS. If you sign up, you can get weather alerts for the Bay Area as well as other regions in California. The alerts come in five levels of severity, ranging from “test,” which is just that, to “Flash,” which is an immediate life-threatening warning. You probably don’t want to sign up for all five levels, but if you think you need to know about serious weather conditions where you live, work, or travel to and through, you might want to try “Flash” and perhaps “Urgent” as well.

To sign up, go to www.EDIS.CA.gov and decide if you want to be notified by pager or email. The first and probably best choice for email notification is www.incident.com which has a good explanation of the system. Don’t sign up unless you really want it, because you will get email automatically and the volume can be quite large. On the other hand, the information is very useful even just for planning Saturday activities. It’s available, it’s useful, and it’s free – how often does that happen?

Emergency Contact to SJ City

The San Jose Prepared! program depends on HAM radios when it comes to communicating during a disaster when phones lines are blocked or cut off. However, if phones are still working, anyone can use them effectively, and if you have extensive information or printed material to communicate, fax is much better than voice.

In the event of a serious incident when the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) would be activated, there are dedicated phone lines specifically for emergency reports from San Jose Prepared members and neighborhood organizations. These phone numbers are normally office numbers for the people who work in that building, but EOC personnel will answer them during emergencies. They are:

Voice and phonemail: 277-2942
Fax: 277-3345
Email: SJPrepared@ci.sj.ca.us

These phone numbers are only for emergency use, but if we have a serious incident and you need to communicate with San Jose Prepared! EOC personnel, please use them!

The Rainy Season

During a serious rainstorm, water can be too much of a good thing. Flooding occurs regularly at many highway intersections and underpasses, including our Yerba Buena exit off 101 southbound, and at various underpasses along 101 in San Jose.
• When you are driving, take it easy and leave plenty of distance between you and the next car ahead of you. Remember than hydroplaning can take place in less than an inch of water, and when your wheels lift off the pavement, you have no control at all.
• Keep the gas tank full – it can be difficult to get gas during a storm or flood.
• Check your windshield wipers before you need them.
• Above all, don’t drive through flowing water – six inches can move your car sideways, and more than a foot will push your car off the road.
• If you are walking, be extra careful not to get into deeper water than you can walk through. Be aware that if the water is moving and more than a few inches deep, you could get pushed over by the force of the flow. Even when you can stay on your feet, you don’t know what your next step may come down on – potholes, open manholes, rocks, slippery mud, etc.

Be sure to keep an emergency kit in your car with flashlights and extra batteries, road flares, raingear and boots, drinking water and snacks, and maps in case you have to detour or get stuck for long periods in a traffic tie-up or flooded area.

Storm Tips -- Don’t Be Left in the Dark (from PG&E)

PG&E’s 24-hour, power outage hotline is 800-PGE-5002

Since safety is primary for PG&E, in a power failure the first priority is to restore electricity to hospitals, police stations and other vital public services, and clear hazards such as leaning poles, snapped lines, uprooted trees or fallen wires. It may take a long time before power is completely restored to any area, so here are some tips on how to cope with power outages:

Battery Powered Radios and Flashlights: Have fresh supplies of batteries ready. If you must use candles, keep them away from flammable materials, drafts, children and pets.

Food: To help prevent food from spoiling, fill used plastic soda or water bottles with water and put them in the freezer now. During an extended outage, put them in the refrigerator to keep food colder. Then avoid opening refrigerator doors.

Heat: Gas furnaces, stoves and fireplaces will operate in a power failure, unless gas lines are also damaged. Your house will stay warmer if windows are covered and drafts are sealed. You can burn wood in a gas fireplace, but never burn charcoal indoors: it releases carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly poison.

Appliance Protection: In extended outages, unplug or turn off computers, electric space heaters, refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwave ovens. Otherwise, when power is restored, several appliances may come back on at once and overload your circuits, or come on while you are asleep and pose a hazard.

Cars: Replace your windshield wipers now, check tire pressure and brakes, and always keep your tank at least half full (gas stations may not be able to pump gas in a power failure). Keep an emergency kit in your car with comfortable walking shoes/boots, a rain poncho or umbrella, flashlight and fresh batteries, water, packaged food, a pillow and blanket, gloves, handiwipes, CB radio or cell phone, flares, first aid kit and regular medications, reading glasses and maps (in case your normal route is blocked), emergency phone numbers, and supplies for routine traveling companions like special food or protection for your children or pets. Know how to manually open your garage door.

Downed Wires: Treat all downed wires as “live” and stay clear!