Prepare for Storm Season

• Clears storm drain outfalls around Alameda, e.g., Park Street and Shoreline
• Clears storm drains where flooding has occurred in the past
• Rechecks storm drain pump station equipment (including backup generators) and clears their trash racks
• Rechecks traffic signals’ back-up batteries
• Notifies residents of the process to get sandbags and suggests preparations to take

• Issues a press release asking residents to call 510-747-7900 (unless it’s after 6:00 pm, then 510-337-8340) for tree and branch failures, traffic signals down, and flooding
• Street sweepers alter their typical schedule to pick up as much leaves and debris as possible in high-priority locations to help prevent flooding
• Offers up to five free sandbags to residents who can show proof of residency (residents fill sandbags themselves). Supplies are limited.

• Rechecks backup generators, loader, chainsaws, chippers, and other equipment to ensure it is fueled and ready
• Coordinates with the City’s tree maintenance contractor to confirm crews are available during and after hours for fallen trees and limbs
• Lowers lagoons to accept more stormwater
• Keeps on-hand enough sandbags, flooding signs, barricades, and temporary stop-signs to deploy during storms
• Street sweepers vacuum up water at known flooding locations

• There is a pile of leaves and/or other debris in the parking lane
• A culvert, inlet, or storm drain appears clogged up with leaves and/or debris
• A street tree appears weakened, diseased, or dying
• You see malfunctioning traffic signals, downed trees or branches, and/or flooding into a traffic lane

Call 9-1-1 for life threatening emergencies

• Hire an arborist to inspect trees on private property that appear weakened, diseased, dying, or vulnerable to damage in a storm
• Make roof repairs and/or fix leaks before rain begins
• Clear gutters of leaves and other debris
• Avoid putting leaves and yard waste in the street, as this clogs the storm drains
• Consider purchasing flood insurance, if you are a property owner, and/or contents insurance, if you are a renter. These policies often need a 30-day waiting period between purchase and first claimed event.
• Have an emergency plan in place for your family, and a dry place for storm supplies. See more at http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/Pages/Home.aspx.
• Find out if your homeowners association (HOA) handles maintaining your neighborhood’s culverts, inlets, drains, and/or outfalls; if so, make sure the HOA is preparing the system for the storm season.
• Park your vehicles and place your waste containers one foot away from the curb so that stormwater can flow unobstructed.
• If you have a basement or below ground area, elevate critical equipment and materials off the ground and have a battery-operated backup sump pump in case of power failures.
• Make sure sump pumps discharge to your yard or landscaping, at least 10ft from foundations. Never discharge pumped water into the sanitary sewer; onto streets, sidewalks or gutters; or onto neighboring properties.