Beginning on Thursday, March 9, another series of storms are expected to hit the Bay Area over the next week including strong winds and periods of heavy rain. Please take precautions now to stay safe:
- Keep your cell phone charged
- Check your emergency supplies and be prepared in case of a power outage
- Clear leaves and debris from storm drains, drainage channels and creeks
- Secure or remove items that can blow around
- Keep garbage cans and cars at least one foot from the curb to avoid blocking storm water flows
- If you see flooding or downed trees in the public right of way, please report it to the Public Works Department (details below). If you see a downed power line, call 9-1-1.
- Please drive with extra caution during storms. If traffic signals are out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Below is information to help Lafayette residents stay safe during the storm:
Sandbag Stations
If you are concerned about flooding on your private property and need sandbags, the City offers two do-it-yourself sandbag stations. It is recommended to bring your own shovel, gloves, and a second person with you if possible. The sand and empty bags are available on a first-come, first-served basis at these two locations:
- Corner of Mt Diablo Boulevard at Village Center Drive (across from the Veterans Memorial Building)
- Corner of Camino Diablo and Loveland Drive (near the Corporation Yard)
Weather Information
Stay informed about the weather through the National Weather Service Bay Area webpage: www.weather.gov/mtr. If you are on social media, you can also follow them for the latest information at twitter.com/NWSBayArea, www.facebook.com/NWSBayArea and www.youtube.com/user/NWSBayArea
Rake Up Leaves
Residents are asked to make sure that they clear as much debris as they can from storm drains near their homes. Clogged storms drains are the most common cause of flooding in our residential neighborhoods. Raking up leaves and properly disposing of them in your green waste container can help reduce the risk of flooding. Do not blow or rake leaves into the street or into creeks as this can contribute to flooding! Also, check that the storm drain nearest your property is not clogged with leaves or other debris. You can clear off the drain and surrounding area with a rake or pitchfork to remove leaves and other debris on the surface. DO NOT OPEN OR REMOVE THE PUBLIC STORM DRAIN GRATE.
Keep Creeks and Drainage Channels Clear
Cleaning of drainage channels and swales or storm drains on private property is the responsibility of the property owner(s). The City’s Public Works Department does not assist with drainage issues on private streets or with issues between private property owners unless the area is in the public right-of-way or within a formally accepted drainage easement.
Creeks are an important part of our area’s drainage system and obstructions can lead to increased flooding. If your property has a creek or a waterway flowing through it, it is your responsibility to maintain it. Proper creek care includes safely removing tree limbs, leaves, trash, and other objects that can cause blockages. Secure outdoor furniture and other objects that may be moved around by strong wind. Read more about creek maintenance. Do not enter strong flowing creeks.
Keep Mobile Phones Charged in Case of Power Outages
During storms with heavy rain and strong winds, there could be power outages. Remember to keep your mobile phones charged. (Strong storms can result in fallen trees, which can take out power and phone lines, however, mobile phones will most likely still function.) You are encouraged to also have a flashlight and other emergency supplies handy. Outage information will be available for viewing on PG&E's outage map. If your power goes out, you can also sign-up for outage updates from PG&E (by text, email or phone) to let you know the cause, when crews are on their way, the estimated restoration time and when power is restored. Learn about outage notification from PG&E. In addition, there are emergency preparedness safety tips available through PG&E's Safety Action Center.
Drive with Extra Caution
Please drive with extra caution during storms. If traffic signals are out, please treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Avoid areas that are prone to flooding and do not attempt to cross a section of road or trail that has water running over it.
- TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE: 1091 to 1092 Orchard Road:To avoid flooding in the area due to a damaged culvert, sandbags have been set up to divert rainwater, and the road is temporarily closed to through traffic.
To Report Flooding or Fallen Trees Blocking the Roadway
Please report flooding or fallen trees in the public right-of-way online at https://bit.ly/lpwrequest OR call the Public Works Hotline at (925) 934-3908.
- The hotline and online reporting system is monitored during normal business hours (roughly 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). If the situation needs immediate attention, call the Sherriff’s Office Dispatch at (925) 284-5010.
- Only call 9-1-1 if the situation is a life-threatening emergency, such as downed power lines.
- All Public Works Maintenance Requests are entered into our work order system, so please do not make duplicate requests for the same issue. When making a report, please provide detailed information including a description and the address or cross streets.
- For your convenience, you can also download the My Lafayette App to your smartphone and use it to report Public Works Maintenance Requests (See instructions about downloading this free app on our website.)
- Please only report the issue once. When the same issue is reported multiple times, it takes our staff time to deal with the duplicate requests. If you used the online form (via a web browser or the smartphone app), then you do not also need to call it in, and vice-versa.
Status of City-Maintained Parks & Trails
The Jakovina Trail remains closed. The trails, playground and fields are closed at Lafayette Community Park. The restrooms at the St Mary's entrance will remain open. The batting cages will remain open for users with an existing reservation. The fields are closed at the Buckeye facility. Residents should avoid the neighborhood trails and are encouraged to be mindful of potential hazards with highly saturated ground, including mudslides, downed trees and branches.
