• Check and clear gutters, downspouts and storm drains regularly before and during the rainy season
• Inspect your roof for leaks, especially around flashing, and make necessary repairs
• Trim your trees and eliminate dead branches that could fall during heavy rain and high winds.
• Ensure yard grading moves rain water away from your home
• Inspect large bare areas that could become sources of mudflow in heavy rain.  Consider ground cover vegetation before storm season. 

If you are in need of sandbags or other supplies, you can purchase them here (En español here). Due to high demand, residents should call and confirm availability before arrival. 

Many locations around the county have sand available to residents (En español here).  Bringing your own sandbags and shovel is necessary at most locations. 

Visit our Family Preparedness page for details on creating an emergency kit and family disaster plan.

• Make sure you have replaced windshield wipers and checked tires
• Carry an emergency car kit
• Stay aware of road conditions, traffic signal outages and downed trees and powerlines
• Don't travel if you don't need to during storms
• County Public Works Road Closure, Delays and Status

Visit AlertSLO.org to sign up for emergency alerts from officials. 

Información sobre cómo prepararse para las inundaciones en español

Preparing your Pets and Livestock for storms

From County Animal Services

LIVESTOCK

1.      Make sure horses and other livestock pastured in low-lying or flood prone areas have free access to higher ground. If direct access isn’t available, consider re-locating before storms set in.

2.      Grade and slope pens to promote water drainage away from the enclosures.

3.      Ensure that pens or pastures are equipped with windbreaks; run-in style shelters are great but even natural wind breaks can help keep livestock warm and sheltered from strong winds.

4.      Check your fences and make repairs now. Recheck them regularly throughout the rainy season.

5.      Inspect barns and shelters to ensure they are in good condition and able to withstand strong winds. Make sure they will provide your animals with a safe, dry area which will help prevent weather-related problems like hoof and rain rot.

6.      Blanket horses if they are turned out in bad weather. Inspect your blankets before rains set in; repair or replace items that are damaged or no longer waterproof.

7.      Keep hay stored indoors or, if stored outdoors, up off the ground and well tarped. Keep grain and feed supplements stored in watertight bins or containers.

8.      Don’t ground feed. Use hay nets, feed bunkers, or hay racks to keep feed up and out of the mud.

9.      Review your emergency plan and make sure you’ve identified a place to go and a way to get there if you’re required to evacuate. Inspect your livestock trailer to make sure it’s ready to go. If evacuation warnings or orders are issued for your area, respond early, don’t wait until the last minute.

PETS

1.      Keep your pets indoors during inclement weather. If they must be left outdoors, make sure that they have access to a shelter that will keep them clean, dry, and protected from the elements.

2.      Stock up on treats and toys to keep your pet occupied if they have to be indoors for extended periods.

3.      Set up a space inside your home where your pet can feel safe and secure during high winds, heavy rain, or other storm-related weather. Stock it with comfortable bedding, favorite toys, and TV or music speakers to help dampen storm noise.

ALL ANIMALS

1.      Review your emergency evacuation plan. Make sure you have identified a location you can go to – and a way to get your animals there - if you need to evacuate.

2.      If you’re relying on a pet carrier to transport your animals, practice getting them into the carrier and let them get used to it in advance – this will make the process much easier if you do have to evacuate.

3.      Keep a “go bag” for your animals ready and stored alongside your own so they’re easily accessible if you need them.

4.      Keep an extra food and medications for your animals on hand in case you’re not easily able to get out to restock.

5.      For more pointers on being a prepared animal owner, check out information from the American Red Cross.

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