Flash Flood Watch in the San Francisco Bay Area This alert expired on March 7, 2016 at 4:03:00 AM PST National Weather Service

Alert area: Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore; East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range; East Bay Interior Valleys; Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County Including Pinnacles National Monument; North Bay Interior Valleys; North Bay Mountains; Northern Monterey Bay; Northern Salinas Valley, Hollister Valley and Carmel Valley; San Francisco; San Francisco Bay Shoreline; San Fransisco Peninsula Coast; Santa Clara Valley Including San Jose; Santa Cruz Mountains; Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest; Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast; Southern Salinas Valley, Arroyo Seco and Lake San Antonio

Posted March 7, 2016 at 3:43:01 AM PST This alert has expired.

ready.gov Tips from ready.gov

Excerpted from ready.gov

Before:



Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.



Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.



Consider installing "check valves" to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.



If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.



More:



What to do before a flood.



Excerpted from ready.gov

During:



Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.



If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:



Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.



Be aware of stream, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without typical warnings such as rain clouds or heavy rain.



If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:



Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly.

Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks, particularly during threatening conditions.



More:



What to do during a flood.

