San Carlos, CA

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Storm and Flood Preparation

Emergency Resources

Safety Tips

  • During the storm, the safest thing you and your family can do is remain inside your home.
  • Stay prepared. Sign up to receive emergency alerts from San Mateo County.
  • Know your zone! Track changing weather conditions, street closures, and evacuation warnings on Zonehaven.
  • Call the City of San Carlos at (650) 802-4140 to report flooding, sewer backup, mudslide, and downed tree emergencies. Please leave your name, address, contact info, and all relevant information. Your call will be logged and responded to as quickly as possible.
  • Use caution, as trees can still be unstable even when it's not raining.
  • Prepare for possible power outages by locating flashlights and charging your devices.
  • If possible, please clear storm drains of leaves and debris near your residence.
  • Monitor the City of San Carlos social media accounts for up to date information: Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor.
CONTACT US

Report flooding, sewer backups, mudslides and downed tree emergencies at
(650) 802-4140
Storm And Flood Preparation
Road Closures
Sandbags Available
The City of San Carlos has a limited supply of sandbags available to the community. 

Community members are welcome to fill 10 bags (20 for businesses) at the San Carlos Corporation Yard located at 1000 Bransten Road. Sandbags are currently available today, March 22.  Please be respectful of these limits so that others can also get bags.

Sandbag tips: Filling sandbags to the top is counter-productive to keeping water out. Watch the video below for instructions on properly filling and using sandbags. 

Facility and Program Closures
  • City Hall Dog Park is currently closed (last updated March 29).
  • Trails at Big Canyon and Eaton Park are closed until further notice (last updated March 22). 
  • Chilton Park is currently closed (last updated March 22).
Emergency Tree & Removal Information
Note: This information does not pertain to downed trees blocking roadways. Please call (650) 802-4140 to report downed trees.

Before & During the Storm

Property owners may remove immediately hazardous tree branches without contacting the City. An emergency pruning permit may be required for major pruning; however, if any amount of branch removal is needed immediately to protect life or property, property owners may remove these branches. Please take photos before, during, and after and contact Planning Division at planningdivision@cityofsancarlos.org to assist with emergency permitting after the hazard is abated. Please do not attempt to remove branches yourself if it is not safe to do so.

Please clear any fallen tree branches and other debris that could wash away and create barriers in storm drains.

After the Storm

Trees that are not considered protected by ordinance may be pruned/removed without a permit or City permission.

Please direct all emergency protected tree removal and pruning requests to planningdivision@cityofsancarlos.org. Include your name, phone number, email, property address, and a detailed description with as much of the following information as possible: tree location relative to house/structures and streets; tree size and species; description of current tree emergency/hazards; permission for City Arborist site visit and relevant instructions; any other details including photos to help staff process your request. Staff will respond to your email as quickly as possible with next steps.
Weather
Visit the  U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) for up-to-date weather information.

Please monitor Zonehaven for real-time street closures.
Road Safety
  • Stay home and off the roads if you can.
  • If you need to travel on the road, monitor Zonehaven for updated road closures.
  • Check your vehicle's tires and make sure they are properly inflated. 
  • Check your vehicle's windshield wipers to ensure they are working properly and effectively before driving in the rain. 
  • Do NOT drive through a flooded road- water may be much deeper than it appears.
  • Check 511.org for traffic conditions.
Power Outages
  • Contact the PG&E outage information line at 1-800-743-5002 to get updates on any outages in your neighborhood.  
  • Monitor and report power outages on the PG&E Electric Outage Map. 
  • PG&E customers can access their account on pge.com and sign up to receive any outage alerts. 
  • Prepare for a possible power outage by locating flashlights and charging all devices.
  • Treat any intersections without power as a four way stop. 
  • To report downed power lines or if you smell gas, call 911 first and then call PG&E at (800) 743-5000.
Additional Resources
FEMA Flood Information

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