Emergency and Wet Weather Preparedness

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The City of Santa Maria prepares to respond to all types of emergencies, and residents and businesses should, too.

PG&E in 2019 notified customers that it will turn off power in certain situations. It calls this a public safety power shutoff.
Learn more at this website: https://prepareforpowerdown.com/

Intense rainfall can cause flooding. In December 2010, the City received 7.88 inches during six days of rain. During the El Niño of 1997-98, the City received 11.59 inches of rain in the month February 1998 (compare that to 14 inches of rain on average in an entire year). For a map of flood-prone areas click here.

Residents and businesses are advised to review vulnerabilities to rain-related issues before the start of the wet-weather season. Santa Maria is relatively flat. If it starts to flood, resources you will need may be stressed and unavailable, and traveling to get sandbags during a storm may not be practical or safe.

STEPS RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES SHOULD TAKE:

Know where to get free sand for filling sand bags
Know how to fill and place sand bags
Keep roof gutters and downspouts clean and clear
Keep yards and driveways clear of debris
Have trees pruned or removed if they are a danger to you or your neighbor’s property
Make repairs to walls, roofs and drainage systems before storms arrive
Have heater and fireplaces cleaned and checked for safety before storm season
Stay off the roads during storm events
Have a supply of plastic sheeting, plywood and tools ready for waterproofing of doors and openings
Stock up on food, medicine (and pet food) so you do not have to shop during a storm

Communication

Sign up for Nixle alerts: Text your zip code to 888777 from your cell phone. You will receive Santa Maria-specific information about weather and emergency information.

Santa Barbara County Real-Time Rainfall Map

El Nino Portal: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Preparation

Create an emergency family plan

Santa Maria Fire Department's Recommended Basic Supply Kit

Red Cross preparedness library

Using a Generator

Are You Ready?

Sand, Sandbags, Flooding

Know where to buy sandbags and get free sand in Santa Maria

Flood fighting methods

FEMA map of flood-prone areas in the City of Santa Maria
For additional questions, please contact the Utilities Department at (805) 925-0951 extension 7211. If residents or businesses wish to purchase flood insurance, they should contact their local insurance agent.

Flood insurance information (note that flood insurance can take 30 days to begin after purchase)

National Flood Insurance (1-800-427-4661)

Response

Report or check on an outage...

Tips for Weathering a Power Outage

PG&E: Where to call to report or check on a power outage
If you smell gas...
PG&E: What to do if you smell gas
How to turn off your gas...
PG&E: How to turn off your gas

Earthquakes

Prepare for an earthquake

Did you feel an earthquake?
United States Geological Survey

Map of areas in Santa Maria that have previously flooded during heavy rains
(click image to open as a PDF)

Everyone should be prepared because any place can flood. At-risk of flooding areas in Santa Maria include (depends on rainfall intensity): This is not meant to be a comprehensive list.

Black Road between Betteravia Road and Stowell Road (and sometimes to Main Street (Hwy 166)
West Stowell Road from around Kameo Way to Black Road
Hancock Park neighborhood and South Bradley Road near Allan Hancock College
Harding and Dejoy, off North Blosser Road near Donovan Road
West Canal Street near North Blosser and Rancho Verde
North Panther Drive and the Edwards Basin
Area bounded by Thornburg Street, Depot Street, Carmen Lane, Sonya Lane
East Main Street at the Philbric Road entrance to the Santa Maria Regional Landfill