As storm clouds gather and the National Weather Service sounds the alarm for hazardous weather in Oakland, city officials are making no bones about the serious preparations to keep residents safe. With the forecast pointing to a real soaker set to start on Wednesday, Jan. 31, emergency services are on high alert for everything the skies can hurl their way: heavy rains, gusty high winds, and the not-so-uncommon afters of a good downpour, think flooding, landslides, and power outages.
Intending to leave no one out in the rain, the City of Oakland is opening its doors to two emergency shelters on Wednesday, "for anyone needing shelter from the storm," according to a public statement. The Jack London Square Aquatic Center, located at 115 Embarcadero, and the East Oakland Sports Center at 9161 Edes Ave are the spots to hit when the heavens open up. And when the storm passes and Thursday dawns, at 10 am on Feb. 1, these makeshift havens will cede back to their routine use.
Not just a roof and four walls, these shelters promise to dole out food and drinking water, have space aplenty to hunker down, and even a bit of warmth against the chill. Families need not split up—they can stick together. Walking in with a bag of personal must-haves is fine, and if you've got more stuff, they'll try to make room. For four-legged companions, Oakland Animal Services have their back but off-site.
For Oakland residents, the city council ain't just crossing their fingers but offering advice on how to outlast Mother Nature's tantrum. "Travel with care. NEVER drive into standing water," the city warns, especially when roads can double as waterways. And keeping Oakland in working nick during the downpour isn't a solo act. Residents are expected to do a bit of heavy lifting too — clearing leaves from storm drains, keeping gutters debris-free, and if you're in the mood for some civil duty, pitching in with the City’s Adopt-A-Drain program.
Residents looking to bulk up their storm defense can nab up to ten free sandbags and plastic sheeting to keep their properties from turning into indoor pools. Proof of residency may be required, and you might have to put a little elbow grease into it, but it beats a soggy aftermath. If things go south, Oakland is ready to take your SOS call, be it via the 311 service, email, or the OAK 311 app. More serious crises, like downed power lines or if you get a whiff of natural gas, call for a 911 response, and for less dire, but still troubling water woes, EBMUD is on the line at 1-866-403-2683.
The city’s not just thinking of the now, but the next time the clouds roll in. Oaklanders are being nudged to sign up for AC Alert, a system designed to keep you in the know when it hits the fan; it's not a matter of if, but when. AC Alert covers a range of locations and is free to sign up for, with all instructions available at www.acalert.org. When the storm hits, Oakland says it's got your back — just be sure to watch your step, and don't go paddling in any temporary ponds that pop up on the streets.
