The National Weather Service is forecasting a moderate to strong storm that will impact San Luis Obispo County from Tuesday, December 23 through Saturday, December 27. Heavy rainfall is expected with high rainfall rates and high winds.

A Flood Watch is in effect from Tuesday, December 23 at 4 PM until Thursday, December 25 at 10 PM and a High Wind Watch in effect from Tuesday, December 23 at 12 PM until Thursday, December 25 at 3 PM.

As the storm approaches, the City of San Luis Obispo asks community members to prepare now and be mindful of weather conditions, especially if you are traveling during the holidays. With proactive planning, you can reduce risks to your property and ensure the safety of our community. You can get all this information and more at www.slocity.org/Prepare.

1. Stay Informed: Follow the City of SLO on social media, bookmark www.slocity.org/Prepare and visit it regularly to get important updates and current storm conditions, and sign up for Reverse 911 and Alert SLO. Pay attention to weather forecasts, emergency alerts, and instructions from local officials.
   
   
2. Report Storm-Related Maintenance Issues. A storm response team will work to monitor conditions and address storm-related impacts. But we need your help to identify and address issues in the community. Do you see a downed powerline or tree? Is a street or creek starting to flood? Please use this form on ASK SLO to report storm-related maintenance issues within city limits. Alternatively, you can call the Public Works Department during business hours at (805) 781-7220 or the non-emergency dispatch number at (805) 781-7312. Please call 911 for emergencies only.
   
   
3. Know your flood zone. Use the City’s Flood Map to see if your property is in a flood-prone area. You’ll also want to check if you have flood insurance. Please note that floods are not covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy; you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy to cover damages incurred by flooding.
   
   
4. Protect your property:
   • Clear drains and gutters. Clear gutters, drains, and storm drains near your home so water can flow freely.
   • Get your sandbags ready. The City provides free sand at various filling stations in San Luis Obispo. If your property is prone to flooding, be sure to buy sandbags to bring to specific City sand stations. Here’s where to buy sandbags and fill them.
   • Secure outdoor furniture, decorations, and trash cans.
     
     
5. Make a plan & build your emergency kit. Be ready for possible storm-related power outages and prepare an emergency kit with essentials like non-perishable foods, flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener, a battery-operated radio, cleaning supplies, and water that can last for several days. Develop a plan for your family including how to reach each other or where to meet should you be separated. Learn more at www.ready.gov/plan.

For this and other detailed information and resources, visit www.slocity.org/Prepare.

Media Contact: Whit Szentesi, Public Communications Manager, wszentes@slocity.org