Call 911 for downed power lines; call 311 to report clogged drains or fallen trees
Berkeley, California (Friday, October 22, 2021) - With the first "atmospheric river" of the season expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds, help us keep Berkeley safe by reporting downed power lines, clogged drains, fallen trees, and other issues.
The heaviest rainfall is expected on Sunday afternoon and early evening. Residents should stay alert, use extra caution on roads, and report issues.
Report downed power lines to 911. If you see damaged power lines or electrical equipment, call 9-1-1 immediately, then notify PG&E by calling 1-800-743-5002. Do not touch or drive over a downed power line.
Call 311 to report other issues. If you see clogged drains, fallen trees blocking roads, or other storm damage to City infrastructure, call 3-1-1 or (510) 981-2489, and press 1 when prompted. Our crews are prepared to respond rapidly.
Stay safe during power outages
Storm damage to power lines may cause outages. Stay informed by signing up to get outage alerts from PG&E for your address by text, email, or phone. PG&E also has an online outage map, which is updated every 15 minutes.
If you experience a power outage, unplug or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal. If you are driving and encounter a signal that is out, treat it as a 4-way stop.
Prepare your household for winter storms
This week's weather event is just the beginning of rainy season. Other significant storms may lie ahead. Protect your home from possible flooding by taking steps to prepare in advance:
- Clean on and around your property as needed: gutters, rain downspouts, driveways, culverts, trash and debris around fences and gardens, and clear basement drains.
- Have sandbags on hand in case of flooding. Berkeley residents and businesses can request 10 free sandbags by visiting the City's Corporation Yard (1326 Allston Way) 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
- Check submersible pumps and sump pumps to make sure they are operating properly.
- Keep flashlights and spare batteries on hand in case of a power failure.
City staff poised to respond
City crews will be working throughout the storm to deal with storm related calls.
The City works year-round to mitigate the impacts of the rainy season, such as Public Works' ongoing maintenance of approximately 7,000 storm drains, including inspections, cleanout, and repair. Green infrastructure projects, including rain gardens and permeable pavement projects, temper storm water to reduce flooding while also reducing pollutants or beautifying neighborhoods.
Residents can support these efforts and help protect their own neighborhood by volunteering with our adopt-a-spot storm drain program.
