Santa Clara, County, CALIF. 21 March 2023– Warming centers are open as another atmospheric river moves through the region, bringing high winds that can down trees and lead to power outages, particularly over the Santa Cruz Mountains, East Bay Hills and Diablo Range. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for the Bay Area until 9 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Though the rain impacts are forecast to be less than previous storms, saturated soils may result in minor urban and small stream flooding, along with shallow landslides and rockslides.
Rainfall and snowmelt will lead to rapid rises of area rivers, streams, and creeks. Ponding of water in low-lying and poor drainage areas, including near-blocked culverts and storm drains, will also impact Santa Clara County communities and roadways. Roadway flooding, including flash flooding, is likely to occur and lead to longer commute times. Heavy rain on wildfire burn scars may result in mud and debris flows, with localized mudslides also possible along steep hillsides. For flood safety information, visit www.PrepareSCC.org/Flood.
The County’s Office of Supportive Housing encourages community members and people who are unsheltered to take precautions against hypothermia and to go to warming centers.
Outreach workers, community partners and volunteers are visiting encampments to distribute blankets, ponchos, tarps and tents while providing information about warming centers to people who are unsheltered. The Here 4 You Hotline at 408-385-2400 will operate with extended hours of 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the inclement weather period. Community members must state that they are seeking inclement weather beds when calling for shelter.
Unsheltered individuals in San José can seek an Overnight Warming Location (OWL) bed by calling the referral line at 408-539-2105, or by emailing owlreferrals@homefirstscc.org.
For a complete list of warming center locations and hours of operation, visit www.PrepareSCC.org/ColdWeather.
