San Rafael, CA - The low-lying areas of Marin County are being monitored by the County's Department of Public Works, in coordination with other County departments, to ensure the public is aware of potential flooding. Residents and business owners in Marin City and other areas that are prone to flooding are asked to stay aware of storms predicted to arrive this week and which may continue through the next days and weeks.
“Our Number 1 priority is to keep people safe,” said Rosemarie Gaglione, director of the County’s Department of Public Works. “We have crews monitoring storm drain systems, creeks, levees, tide gates, pump stations, culverts and roads,” she added. Sandbags will be made available as the storm intensity becomes clear, she said.
Widespread rainfall is expected to arrive on Tuesday, November 14, and stay through the week, the first of what could be numerous systems arriving along the west coast in the coming weeks. The current forecast predicts periods of moderate to localized heavy rain along with gusty winds, according to the Marin County Office of Emergency Management. The County is encouraging residents to monitor trusted sources to keep up with the latest National Weather Service forecast.
Residents are encouraged to take action on their own property to help reduce the risk of flooding. Before a storm, residents should clear dead leaves from their driveway drains, rooftop gutters, and storm drains. Dead foliage should be disposed of in compost bins, not left in street gutters to clog drainage systems and cause flooding. Those living in flood-prone areas should test their sump pumps and stock up on sandbags (available at most hardware stores) and learn how to properly use them prior to storms.
ReadyMarin.org provides many detailed resources, including emergency “go-bag” packing checklists, that can be helpful for residents to prepare for the unexpected.
It is important for residents to sign up for the Alert Marin notification system to be aware of emergency situations. The service, provided by the Marin County Office of Emergency Management, provides the public with time-sensitive alerts targeted toward specific addresses or neighborhoods. Residents who have registered should review their contact information to make sure it is up to date.
Flood insurance is important for homeowners and renters alike, since standard insurance policies do not usually include flood damage. Even a few inches of water can result in thousands of dollars in repair and restoration costs. Marin County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which makes federally backed insurance available for all homes, and provides a range of resources to help property owners make the best decisions for them. Residents who seek such coverage are encouraged to contact their insurance agency.