The City continues to coordinate with regional partners, non-profits and emergency services to prepare for atmospheric river event
San José, CA 4 ene 2022 – Today the City of San José proclaimed a State of Emergency for the duration of the current atmospheric river weather event. San José Mayor Mahan urged residents to prepare for the heavy rains beginning on Wednesday and prepare appropriately. San José continues to coordinate with Valley Water, the National Weather Service and the County to prepare and scale operations to deal with the coming storms. The proclamation was signed by City Manager Jennifer Maguire on Tuesday evening. The proclamation provides emergency powers to the City needed to respond to the storm events, and simultaneously issues an evacuation order to people living within or along waterways for their safety.
“San Jose is taking this extra precautionary step during this storm surge to protect our residents, particularly our most vulnerable unhoused neighbors,” said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. “We want to make sure all residents are informed and prepared to stay safe, and that city staff has the ability to move quickly to relocate encampments that are in harm’s way.”
San José continues to engage with the community and unhoused residents to share critical information and ensure safety and will monitor and respond as needed over the next two weeks as the storm surges. Unhoused residents who live near waterways are especially vulnerable to rising waters and flooding. To alert unhoused residents of the potential flooding in creeks, City and County outreach teams have continued to deploy teams to notify people of weather conditions, recommend they move, help find shelter placements, and deliver supplies to people who choose to remain outside. Resources deployed include San Jose Police Department patrols, BeautifySJ staff, Housing staff, and non-profit partners like PATH and Homefirst to conduct outreach at high-risk locations along creeks. The Office of Emergency Management will be deploying a long-range audio device (LRAD) to communicate the evacuation order from the Central Service Yard tonight and tomorrow. In addition, SJPD will be conducting loud speaker announcements along Coyote, Guadalupe and Penetencia Creeks.
“The City’s top priority is the health and safety of our most vulnerable populations. Together with our partners, we are working to notify our unhoused residents in or near our creeks of the danger of flooding in inclement weather and assist them to shelter and safety,” said Jennifer Maguire, San José City Manager. “This proclamation will direct the evacuation of all people living along our rivers, creeks and waterways and enable us to ensure that we reach and evacuate people from those dangerous locations.”
The City is working to augment its shelter capacity with more beds to help provide our vulnerable residents with a dry place to sleep. Overnight Warming Locations (OWL) at Roosevelt Community Center and West Valley Branch Library continue to operate. Roosevelt shelter capacity was expanded on Sunday, January 1, 2023 by 30 beds, bringing the total number of OWL emergency beds to 80. OWLs are open nightly from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Spots are by referral only and the public can call 408-539-2105 or email owlreferrals@homefirstscc.org. The County offers additional shelters. Unhoused individuals seeking shelter can call the County’s Here4You Call Center at 408-385-2400 to find placement within the County.
Other preparations and tips for residents:
City Departments continue to staff enhanced operation in the field supported by the Department Operations Centers and the Emergency Operations Center
San José Fire Department is preparing for potential swift water rescue operations.
Residents can find storm and safety tips on the City’s Storm Preparedness webpage.
Residents should subscribe to emergency alerts at http://bit.ly/2BzQxt0.
Sand and sandbags are provided free by Valley Water, find a pick-up site.
Seniors or mobility impaired: Alert your family or friends so they are prepared to assist you should conditions change.
Pack a bag with important documents, medicines, spare clothes.
Power outages may occur: Charge devices and locate flashlights and batteries.
Stay away from creeks, rivers and waterways.
Do not drive on flooded roads.
Report blocked drains and other storm-related issues at 408-794-1900.
