Dear Friends,
Following recent heavy rainfall, tsunami warnings, and natural disasters like the Keller fire, our community and our families need to stay up to date by creating an emergency preparedness plan and signing up for advanced warning systems to stay ahead of potential hazards. In this newsletter, you can find resources to help take advantage of available emergency supplies and resources, and where to find tips on how to stay safe and dry this winter.
Communities can take action online easily by visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website Ready.Gov and Alameda County’s AC Alert to register for emergency warning alerts, create a shelter and evacuation plan, and build an emergency preparedness kit. Local resources including sandbags, plastic sheeting, and city-specific emergency hotlines may be available, so click here to visit our local resource page to learn more.
Studies show that the effects of climate change have worsened many common natural disasters in California - fueling wildfires, worsening the effects of flooding, and exacerbating costs for our communities. In the 23-24 legislative session, I was proud to support significant climate legislation. This year we will continue to stand in support of fact-based environmental policy to protect our homes and ensure that Californians can live without fear of climate-based catastrophe.
I look forward to continuing the work with the residents across Assembly District 18 to respond to global warming and protect our communities. If you would like to connect, please reach out to my office online, or by calling (510) 286-1670.
Yours in Service,
Mia Bonta
Assemblymember, 18th District
In this newsletter, you'll find the following information:
- Section 1: National and Statewide Disaster Preparedness
- Section 2: Respond to Natural Disasters with Local Alerts
- Section 3: Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville Local Resources for AD18
Assemblymember Mia Bonta & staff are committed to keeping AD-18 residents fully engaged and informed. Please send this newsletter to a friend and subscribe!
Stay connected with our office at (510) 286-1670, Email Me, or follow us on social media.
Section 1: National and Statewide Disaster Preparedness
Section 1A: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
The National Emergency and Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Program is a national service campaign that is intended to educate and provide resources to the public to prepare for, and respond to, disasters and emergencies. Ready.gov has the following resources:
- Disasters and Emergencies
- Guidelines for "Making a Plan"
- How to Build a Kit
- Toolkits
- Natural Disasters Toolkits
- Preparedness Campaign Toolkits
- Community Toolkits
Section 1B: Prepare for Emergency with Listos California:
Using Listos California, Californians can be prepared for the most common natural disasters and emergency situations in the state, including extreme heat, wildfires & smoke, power outages, floods, earthquakes, and severe storms.
For severe storms, Listos has resources on how to stay informed and prepare for flooding, strong winds, wildfires, and more.
Section 2: Respond to Natural Disasters with Local Alerts
Section 2A: Sign up for Alameda County’s AC Alert to receive emergency alerts
To receive up-to-date information on emergency alerts and natural disasters, sign up for Alameda County’s AC Alert System by clicking here and making an account.
Section 2B: Protect Yourself and Recover From Wildfires
Following the Keller Fire, my office released a resource list to assist wildfire recovery. This includes recommendations from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) to prevent wildfires in high-risk areas, respond to nearby wildfires, and recover
Section 2C: Stay Up to Date on Tsunami Threats
Following a 6.6 magnitude Earthquake of the Northern California coast, many AD-18 residents received emergency tsunami warning notifications. To stay up to date on tsunami occurrences, visit the NOAA / National Weather Service U.S. Tsunami Warning System online.
For general tsunami preparedness, visit the Red Cross Tsunami Preparedness page to make a plan, and understand warning messages.
Section 2D: Report Emergency Power Outages or Downed Lines
According to PG&E if you smell natural gas or suspect an emergency, leave the area now and call 9-1-1. If you see downed powerlines, stay away. Don’t exit your car or home. Call 9-1-1. Then call PG&E at 1-877-660-6789.
For more information about 24-hour power outage information, call 1-800-PGE-5002 (1-800-743-5002).
Section 3: Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville Local Resources for AD18
Section 3A: Prepare for Storm Season City of Alameda
The City of Alameda is providing up to five free sandbags for Alameda residents and businesses. Sandbags can be retrieved anytime from a self-serve sandbag station on Lexington Avenue at W Ranger at Alameda Point.
- If assistance loading sandbags is needed, staff will be available Saturday, December 7, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. to assist in loading sandbags into vehicles.
- For infrastructure disasters call 510-747-7900 (unless it’s after 6 p.m., then 510-337-8340).
- For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.
Section 3B: Alameda Homeless Warming Shelter
The Homeless Warming Shelter at Christ Church has a capacity of 25 guests who are provided a warm place to sleep, shower, and have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fresh socks, underwear, and other amenities are available as needed.
The shelter will open on December 1 in the Parish Hall and run through March 31, operating only during the night. From December 22-January 4, the shelter will move to Trinity Lutheran Church, and from February 10-24, it will reside at Twin Towers United Methodist Church.
For more information click here or email office@christchurchalameda.org. If you are currently homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, call the Alameda Homeless Hotline at 510-522-HOME (4663) Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For evenings or weekends, call 2-1-1 to access resources county-wide.
Section 3C: Emergency Response Guide City of Oakland
Visit the city of Oakland’s Preparing for Oakland Winter Storms page for updates and resources on how to respond to emergencies, and pick-up free sandbags and plastic sheeting.
- Please report active infrastructure emergencies to OAK311 by dialing 311 or (510) 615-5566. Please report all non-emergency issues online.
- For storm-related emergency issues contact the Oakland Fire Department Dispatch non-emergency line at (510) 444-3322.
- For water service emergencies (e.g., no water service, broken hydrants, broken water main pipes), contact EBMUD at 1-866-403-2683.
- For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1 from or (510) 777-3211.
Section 3D: Prepare for Emergency City of Emeryville
When the City experiences an emergency situation, an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) may be opened. The City’s EOC is located at Fire Station #35 on Hollis Street. Visit the city of Emeryville’s Disaster Preparedness page for more information on how to prepare a disaster plan, and available resources to improve your emergency response.
- For water service emergencies (e.g., no water service, broken hydrants, broken water main pipes), contact EBMUD at 1-866-403-2683.
- For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.