Source: sfchronicle.com

As the Bay Area braces for another, stronger storm to pound the region Wednesday after the weekend deluge, emergency officials say residents can take measures in advance to protect themselves and their homes.

The historic rainstorm on New Year’s Eve brought widespread flooding, mudslides, road closures and power outages across the region. To the northeast in Sacramento County, at least one person was found dead in a car that had completely flooded.

Forecasters predict that Wednesday’s storm will be more powerful, bringing more downpours and gusts up to 70 mph along the coast and among the region’s highest peaks.

As a result, experts say the potential for drastic flooding is higher.

Here is what you can do to prepare:

-Stock up and be ready to evacuate-

Weather officials are encouraging residents to stock up on emergency supplies - and to keep those items in airtight plastic bags or other easy-to-carry containers like plastic bins or duffel bags in case evacuations are ordered.

Essential emergency supplies include:

• Water

• First aid kits

• Flashlights and extra batteries

• Fire extinguisher

• Manual can opener

• Non-perishable food

• Radio

• Cash

• Sleeping bags or blankets

• Children’s toys and games

• Pet food and toys

• Personal documents

• Personal hygiene and sanitation products

• Prescription medicines

• Basic tools like a hammer and duct tape that can help residents turn off the gas, repair broken windows or board up their homes

• Cellphone charger

-Pick up free sandbags-

Some agencies in the Bay Area are offering residents free sandbags to help protect homes and businesses at risk from flooding.

• In San Francisco, city officials said they have a limited supply of sandbags available for residents to pick up at their Operations Yard at Marin and Kansas streets until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Residents are limited to grabbing five per address. “Please only get sandbags if you really need them,” the San Francisco Public Works Department tweeted.

• In Oakland, residents and business owners can pick up free sandbags and sheeting at two different locations. The Municipal Service Center at 7101 Edgewater Drive will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Drainage Services Facility at 5921 Shepherd Canyon will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Check your city’s or county’s webpage to find other Bay Area pickup sites near you.

-Sign up for emergency alerts-

Most cities and counties have an alert system that issues emergency notifications directly to residents’ phones, email addresses and more.

Follow the links to sign up for alerts in these Bay area counties:

• San Francisco: AlertSF (you can also sign up by texting your ZIP code to 888-777)

• Alameda: AC Alert

• Contra Costa: Community Warning System

• Marin: Alert Marin

• Napa: Nixle

• San Mateo: SMC Alert

• Santa Clara: AlertSCC

• Solano: Alert Solano

• Sonoma: SoCoAlert

-Insurance, inventory and other measures-

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says homeowners can protect their properties and belongings by purchasing flood insurance or making sure their homeowners insurance covers flood damage.

People should also check if they live in a neighborhood that is prone to flooding. You can search your address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to find out if you live in a high risk zone.

Before a potential flood, residents are encouraged to take inventory of all their valuables and items - including important documents like birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers - by taking a photo of each item and storing it in a safe place.

You can take several other steps to help minimize potential losses from flooding. FEMA says people should elevate and anchor critical utilities, such as electrical panels, propane tanks, sockets, wiring, appliances and heating systems. Furniture and other valuables should be moved to an attic or the highest floor of your household.

If you have a basement, experts recommend that you install a water alarm and maintain a sump pump to protect the basement. Gutters and downspouts should also be cleared to avoid flooding on streets.

Oakland residents can sign up to “ adopt a drain ” to help keep them clear ahead of rainstorms. Volunteers may borrow tools and supplies from the city, and receive rain alert notifications from city officials, according to the program’s webpage.

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Source: sfchronicle.com