“Preparing in Advance – is Crucial!!”
Prepare in advance of this storm:
Load up on potable water, live batteries, a battery operated radio, foods that can be eaten without cooking, medical supplies and prescriptions, warm clothes, blankets, firewood, generator fuel, pet food, etc. Have at least three days supply of food and water for every person in your household. If you don’t have one, purchase an old fashioned phone (the kind that doesn’t need electricity to run) and plug it in. Roam phones and cell phones can have their power knocked out as we have seen in past storms. The Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) has helpful tips about to wrap and protect your water pipes.
Medically fragile, vulnerable, or special needs people may want to find a relative or friend in a very low elevation to visit, leaving by Wednesday night or Thursday morning before the storms hit. Those of you locally who know people who fit this description are encouraged to check in on them now to see what they might need, or assist them in finding a temporary living space below the 1500 foot level.
Once the storms hit, unless it is an emergency, PLEASE stay home! Park your cars out of the roadways and road right of ways so that the snow plows can come through unimpeded. If you must travel in areas impacted by snow fall, drive only with chains and/or 4WD.
If you need to get out, be patient. Wait for the road department crews to clear the road rather than trying to ram your way through the snow. This causes unnecessary accidents and more work for our emergency response crews that could have been avoided. As always, please report any emergency situations via 9-1-1, and do not attempt to drive over, near, or around any downed power lines.
Useful public information points for Calaveras County:
Calaveras County Sheriff Non-Emergency 754-6500 Emergency 9-1-1
County Roads Lane Blockages/Other Road Issues 754-6402
County Roads Status of Snow Removal 754-6017
CCWD Water District Emergency 754-3543 (dial 9)
CHP Public Need/Information 943-8670
PG&E To Report Power Outages 1-800-743-5002
Red Cross Local Mother Lode Chapter 533-1388
