Frequently Asked Questions

Plan ahead for severe storms is the best way to ensure everyone's safety. You may experience high winds, flash flooding, and multi-day power outages. Be prepared, stay aware of conditions around you, and stay informed to keep you and the people you care about safe. 

Stay informed

1. Monitor weather updates.
2. Use official TV, radio, and SMC Alert to get the information you need to be safe. Keep listening for updates. Do not leave your home or where you are staying unless authorities tells you it is safe to do so. If they tell you to evacuate the area, follow their instructions.  

WHEN FLOODING IS PREDICTED

1. In addition to the preparedness page, fill sand bags to protect your property at the City fill in station. 
   • 110 Higgins Canyon Road Half Moon Bay CA 94019. 
2. Keep storm drains in your neighborhood clear to prevent backups. 
   • Call Half Moon Bay Public Works Maintenance at 650.726.7177 for significant blocking. 
   • After 5pm, call the Sheriff's dispatch at 650.726.8286.
3. Consider flood insurance if you are in the flood zone - View FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps. 
   • Regular homeowner's insurance policies usually don't cover flood damage.

DURING FLOODING

1. Make sure your family and pets are safe - if there is time, move valuable household possessions off the floor.
2. Be ready to evacuate if directed by emergency personnel.
3. Avoid flood waters: Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars. 
4. Disable utilities - If your property is in imminent danger of flooding, you may need to shut off your gas and electricity for safety. 
   • Visit PG&E online for information about how to do this. 
   • If you smell natural gas, see downed power lines, or suspect another power-related emergency situation, call 9-1-1 and then call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. 
   • Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area and you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber gloves and rubber soled boots or shoes.
5. Downed trees 
   • Call the Sheriff’s non-emergency dispatch line at 650-363-4911. 
   • Any life threatening issues should be reported to 9-1-1.

Power outages happen - for a variety of reasons!

A power outage, either localized or widespread, can be caused by storms or floods, downed power lines or blown transformers, and other reasons. 

Here are some basic tips for what to do in the event of a power outage

• If you see a downed power line - stay away, and keep others away. Assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Call 9-1-1 immediately to report the location, then call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
• Report outages in your home or neighborhood to PG&E 24 hours a day at 1-800-743-5002
• Find out whether your neighbors are affected by the outage, or if it’s just your property (check your circuit breakers and fuse boxes).
• Learn the status of your outage at PG&E online, or call 1-800-743-5002.
• Unplug or turn off all appliances during an outage to help avoid overloading circuits when the power is restored.
• Leave a single lamp on to alert you when the power returns.

Take these steps in advance:

• Keep a battery-operated flashlight and radio within easy reach. Listen for updates on storm conditions and power outages.
• Do not use wax candles - if you want to use candles, use only the safer LED candles.
• Keep a standard handset or mobile phone available - don’t depend on a phone that requires electricity to work.
• Store water-filled plastic containers in your freezer to use as blocks of ice to prevent food from spoiling.

(source: PG&E)

Wildfire

A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, prairie, or open space area. Wildfires can happen very near to developed areas, and can ruin homes, cause injuries or death, and destroy the forest or open space environment. 

PG&E has noted that for public safety, they may turn off electricity in high fire-threat areas when extreme fire danger conditions occur. They will attempt to contact customers in advance, when and where possible, to allow enough time to prepare. 

WHAT TO DO NOW: Prepare

• In addition to the preparedness page, 
  • Have a N95 respirator masks that filter out particles in the air you breathe
• Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions exist
• Keep important documents in a fireproof, safe place, and create password-protected digital copies
• Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property
• If near open space, forest, or grassland, create and maintain a fire-resistant defensible space for at least 30 feet around your home
• Review insurance coverage 

WHAT TO DO DURING: Survive

• Evacuate immediately if authorities tell you to do so.
• If trapped, then call 911 and give your location (be aware that emergency response could be delayed or impossible); turn on lights to help rescuers find you
• Listen to news radio, and check SMCAlert for current emergency information and instructions
• Use an N95 masks to keep harmful particles out of the air you breathe
• If you are not ordered to evacuate but smoky conditions exist, stay inside in a safe location or go to another location where smoke levels are lower

Home Fires

In just two minutes, a fire in your home can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames. Make your home fire-safe, and make sure you and your family are prepared for fire.

PREPARE:

• Fire alarms: Install the right number of smoke/carbon monoxide alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
• Escape Plan:Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
  • Practice escaping from your home once a year. 
  • Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
  • Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

PREVENT

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters
• Smoking is the leading cause of residential fire deaths in the US 
  • If you smoke, take precautions: smoke outside
  • Never smoke in bed, when drowsy or medicated, or if anyone in the home is using oxygen
  • Use deep, sturdy ashtrays and douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep
• Never leave a burning candle unattended, even for a minute

Earthquakes Awareness and Preparedness

Our region is subject to earthquakes. Aftershocks may occur periodically for several weeks or even months. While impacts to different buildings will vary, the area near the exterior walls of a building is the most dangerous place to be during an earthquake. Windows, facades, and architectural details are often the first parts of the building to collapse. In fact, the major threat of injury during an earthquake is from falling objects and debris, and many injuries are sustained while entering or leaving buildings. 

Sign up for Earthquake Notifications

Protect yourself in an earthquake:

1. Drop: go down to your hands and knees and hold onto something
2. Cover: Cover head and neck with  your arms. If there is a sturdy table crawl underneath.
3. Hold on: If you are under a table hold on with one hand and be ready to move with the table if it moves.

Earthquake preparation: 

1. Secure heavy items like bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions and objects that hang on walls
2. Make an Emergency plan and practice it
   • City of Half Moon Bay staff participates in the annual Great California Shake Out every year, which is an opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes.  

During an Earthquake:

1. In your car: Pull over, stop and set your parking brake
2. In bed: Face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow
3. Outdoors: stay away from buildings
4. Inside: stay and do not run outside and avoid doorways 

Tsunami

Deep sea earthquakes can cause a tidal wave, or tsunami, and that's a risk we face here on the west coast. While less likely than most other types of disasters, it’s a good idea to keep tsunami in mind when assessing your home’s disaster preparedness. 

Preparing for a Tsunami

1. Understand warnings: 
   • SMC Alert
   • Tsunami Alert horns
2. Understand tsunami hazard areas and get to higher ground out of the hazard area 
   • Map