Repetitive tips for "weathering the 'storm'"

While the event is fresh in your mind, note what you lacked during the power outage and the possible evacuation order. Add a list to your go bag which states what needs to be added to it and where the item is
stored in your home. Think about how you managed the power shutoffs and prepared to potentially evacuate.

For example:
* Did you have a bag ready with essentials in case you were evacuated?
* Did you have an old-fashioned rotary dial landline phone that does not use electricity to function?
* How about flashlights, batteries, matches, plenty of water, and a portable battery-operated radio for news updates? (KSRO -1350 AM was really informative). Solar flashlights, solar radios, solar ovens, N95 facemasks
are other useful supplies.
* Did you have a generator, is it ready to operate safely, how long has it been since you did a test run? Did you have enough gas for your generator?
* Was there enough food in your house; did you have a way to cook it?
* Did you have a way to contact family and friends in case you were evacuated?
* Did you have a way to charge your cell phone with a precharged power bank battery?
* Was there gas in your car? Was your garage door opened before power went out?
* Were your neighbors okay and prepared?
* Our recent event happened during an extended heatwave. How would you prepare differently if it was during very cold stormy weather?

If you have not yet done so, sign up to receive Sonoma County emergency text and/or email SoCoAlert notifications
at https://socoemergency.org/home/emerg...med/socoalert/
(you will be directed to sign up with a service called CodeRed Onsolve).

And be sure to also sign up for the Sonoma County Sheriff’s alerts (they issue the evacuations notices) at
https://local.nixle.com/signup/widget/m/494

Do you have what you need to survive on your own for two weeks or even longer without needing assistance? If not, it can make the first responders jobs more difficult and it diverts public safety resources unnecessarily.

Lastly, I would like to say thank-you to our community members and the way
we all supported each other, and a special thanks to our public safety
professionals and volunteers. When we all pull together we can weather any
adversity.