San Rafael Businesses Urged To Prepare For Winter Storms

Downtown San Rafael businesses should prepare employees, storefronts and inventory for winter storms before flooding or power outages occur, DowntownSanRafael.org urges. "Prepare now, not when it's happening." The guidance covers heavy rain, high winds, flooding, power outages and high tides.

Businesses should register for AlertMarin and encourage managers to enroll for emergency notifications. Stock an emergency kit with water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries and other essentials.

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Move inventory, equipment and records off the floor, secure outdoor furniture and displays, and coordinate gutter and drainage maintenance with property owners. Where flooding is a concern, prepare sandbags to help redirect water. Check county hazard maps and monitor weather forecasts and high tides.

Sandbag locations include Terra Linda Community Center, 670 Del Ganado Road, and Menzies Parking Lot next to Falkirk Cultural Center, 1428 Mission Ave. Other locations are Peacock Gap Park Parking Lot, 699 Biscayne Drive, and Albert J. Boro Community Center's east parking lot, 50 Canal St. Check the city's sandbag pickup instructions and current availability before heading out.

Business preparation also includes updating emergency contacts, establishing staff notification and closure procedures, backing up records and reviewing insurance coverage. Follow city and county emergency updates, and never walk, swim or drive through floodwaters.

Report non-emergency street flooding or clogged drains through SeeClickFix. Call 911 for emergencies or downed power lines.