Winter Storm Advisory

NEW ADVISORY: Forecasters are predicting heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds developing late Wednesday and continuing through Friday. North Bay rainfall could exceed 5 inches on the windward side of the coast range. 3-5 inches of rain is possible locally. Heavy rain should be expected Thursday night as well. Possible impacts include trees uprooted, power lines down, flooding, mudslides, and traffic impacts.

The City of Mill Valley strongly encourages businesses and residents to prepare for the upcoming storm. The following lists potential issues and resources available to help you prepare for the many issues this storm may present.

Flooding – If your home or business is in a low-lying area with a history of flooding, please take the time now to prepare for the possibility of flooding:

• Learn more about sandbags, flood maps, and other preparations here and here.
• If a blocked catch basin or stormdrain is causing flooding contact the Department of Public Works at 415-384-4800 during regular business hours and non-emergency dispatch after hours 415-446-4526. If the blocked storm drain is causing an immediate danger, call 911 from any land or mobile phone.
• Please do not leave piles of leaves in the roadway. Please rake them up and place them in your green bin for disposal. Leaves left in the street will block storm drains and may lead to flooding.
• More information on high tides and flooding information can be found here.

Power Outages

• Have flashlights and battery-operated radios with fresh batteries ready for updates on storm conditions and power outages. Tune in to KQED 88.5 FM, KCBS 740 AM or KGO 810 AM.
• Fire Officials recommend that residents do not use candles because of the risk of fire. Use battery-powered light sources.
• Click here for more useful tips.
• Anticipate power outages and bookmark PG&E’s power outage page.

Downed Trees and Limbs:

• If the tree is within the City limits of Mill Valley and is on City property, or if the tree is blocking a public right of way or roadway contact the Department of Public Works at 415-384-4800 during regular business hours and non-emergency dispatch after hours AT 415-446-4526.
• If the tree is on private property or has fallen onto private property contact the property owner.
• If the tree is touching electrical wires contact PG&E at 800-743-500 or non-emergency dispatch at 415-442-4526.
• If the tree or limb is causing an immediate danger, call 911 from any land or mobile phone.
  

Drive with Caution

• When driving in the rain, use extra caution and always have your headlights on. Remember, if you turn on your windshield wipers, turn on your headlights.
• Please obey the speed limits and follow other traffic at a safe distance.
• Do not drive through standing water. Only 6 inches of water can be enough to stall your car and cause irreparable damage to the engine.
• Please anticipate road closures and traffic back-ups due to flooding, downed trees or landslides.Check traffic conditions before you hit the road.

Landslides
If you live in a landslide prone area, please click here for information and resources.

Create/Check Your Emergency Kit
A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Click here for more information.

Businesses
How quickly your company can get back to business after an emergency often depends on planning done today. The City of Mill Valley encourages all business owners to start planning now to improve the likelihood that your company will survive and recover.

• Develop a continuity of operations plan. Carefully assess how your company functions to determine which staff materials, procedures and equipment are necessary to keep the business operating.
• Review emergency communications with staff. Set up a telephone calling tree or email alert to communicate with employees, designate an out-of-town phone number for employees to call, give employees wallet-cards with important phone numbers.
• Review how to decide to stay or go. Have an Evacuation Plan and a Shelter-In-Place Plan.

Learn more here.

Stay Informed
In an emergency, communication is crucial to the safety of all residents and businesses. Please bookmark or sign up for the communications methods listed below:

• We will provide updates about the storm as needed. Go to www.cityofmillvalley.org for the latest information.
• Emergency officials use the Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) to deliver incident-specific information or potentially life-saving instruction to the precise geographic area(s) affected. Sign up for TENS emergency alerts.
• Sign up for eNotifications. Receive notifications in your inbox. Select “Emergency Notifications” and “Traffic Conditions and Road Closures” for information.
• Sign up for Nextdoor- a private, neighborhood-based social network.
• Follow us on Twitter:
  o Mill Valley Police Department
  o City of Mill Valley

When to call 911

• In an emergency, call 911 immediately from any wired or wireless phone. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance such as a fire, a car crash (especially if someone is injured), or a medical emergency where a person is requiring immediate medical attention.
• If you hear the City Emergency Siren, do not call 911. Instead, tune in to KQED 88.5 FM, KCBS 740 AM or KGO 810 AM and local TV stations for further information. You can also check the City of Mill Valley website and the sites listed above for information.

Mill Valley is a beautiful place to work, live and play but also a place of great risks - winter storms, landslides, flash floods and tidal flooding. The risks are real and the City strongly encourages its residents to be aware, prepare, and to stay informed.