5 Responses for "Forecast: Rain, Wind … Lights?"

1. High Wind Warning ... January 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm 1

   As the storm bears down on the Bay Area, the National Weather Service has announced a “High Wind Warning” for the Santa Clara Valley through Friday afternoon:

   … HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 PM PST FRIDAY..

   SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE THIS AFTERNOON TO 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 55 MPH…AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. THE SECOND…MORE POWERFUL SYSTEM WILL BRING EVEN STRONGER WINDS TO NORTHERN AND CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. BY TONIGHT…WINDS ALONG THE COAST AND VALLEYS WILL INCREASE TO 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH POSSIBLE. WINDS IN THE HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET COULD POSSIBLY GUST TO HURRICANE FORCE…75 MPH ON FRIDAY. WINDS WILL DECREASE FRIDAY EVENING.

   A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

2. Info from Ken Yeager ... January 3rd, 2008 at 6:07 pm 2

   Visit the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s emergency information website for more information, or you can skip directly to a list of sandbag pick-up locations.

   Preparing for Severe Winter Storms
   County Update — January 3, 2008

   Supervisor Ken Yeager
   County Govt. Center, E. Wing
   70 W. Hedding St., 10th Fl.
   San Jose, Calif. 95110

   … from Supervisor Ken Yeager:

   This year’s first winter storm is expected to hit the Bay Area beginning tonight, when strong gusts of wind and heavy rainfall will likely pour in from the Pacific Ocean. A second storm is expected to hit tomorrow, and a third is expected over the weekend, bringing even more downpours and blustery weather.

   The following is some information I thought you’d find useful on how to be prepared for the storm.

   The water district is hosting several sandbag stations around Santa Clara County where residents can pick up sandbags to protect their properties from minor flooding. The district also sent crews to make sure streams and creeks were intact and able to carry water away from homes and businesses.

   Minor flooding is most likely to occur at local levels due to blocked drains. Residents who see downed trees or debris blocking drains can call the water district’s watershed hotline at 265-2607, extension 2378.

   PG&E crews have been preparing in case gusts of wind disrupt power lines. Residents who spot downed power lines should first call 911, then call PG&E’s 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-743-5002. Residents can prepare for outages by having flashlights and battery-powered radios ready.

   More Information: Visit http://www.valleywater.org or call the Valley Water District at 1-888-439-6624.

   Residents can also protect their houses by cleaning out their rain gutters. When rooftop rain gutters get clogged, water can pool on the roof and cause damage to the structure.

3. Storm Update from SJ District 6 … January 5th, 2008 at 9:20 am 3

   [...] just got off the phone with PG&E and they told me that the strong winter storms throughout Northern California have caused significant power outages throughout our service area [...]

4. Storm Recap and Damage in WG January 5th, 2008 at 9:46 am 4

   [...] Strong winds and torrential rains on Friday caused significant damage across WG during the big storm, with most damage caused by fallen trees. Minor flooding, downed tree branches, and blown-over fences were common along major and minor streets all around San Jose and the Bay Area. [...]

5. Finally Sunny Enough to Clean-Up February 5th, 2008 at 5:03 pm 5

   [...] — courtesy of Mother Nature — provided everyone with an excuse way back in January … and it seems like we haven’t had a dry weekend since. So, here’s your [...]