Lafayette Declares Storm Emergency

From the City of Lafayette:

Lafayette has proclaimed a Local State of Emergency due to severe storms expected this week, following flooding and mudslides just days ago during the storm on December 31.

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected from this afternoon (Wednesday, January 4) through Thursday morning. Flooding is likely in some parts of the Bay Area, and falling trees could cause damage, block roads and cause power outages, so please take precautions to stay safe.

City Staff, Lafayette Police, and Public Works Crews (along with other partner agencies) have been busy over the past few days responding to storm damage and debris, as well as preparing for this storm. If you see crewmembers working in or alongside the road, please slow down and drive with caution in the area.

The local emergency proclamation is part of the City’s emergency response to the storms and allows the City greater flexibility to contract for and procure related supplies. Read the local emergency proclamation (PDF). The proclamation was signed by Mayor Carl Anduri this afternoon and will be formally ratified by the City Council at their meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Below is information to help Lafayette residents stay safe during the storm:

Sandbag Stations
The City offer two do-it-yourself sandbag stations for Lafayette residents and property owners. They are located at:

Corner of Mt Diablo Boulevard at Village Center Drive (across from the Veterans Memorial Building)
Corner of Camino Diablo and Loveland Drive (near the Corporation Yard)
If you are concerned about flooding and need sandbags, it is recommended to bring your own shovel, gloves, and a second person with you if possible.

Filling sandbags is easier with two people.
Bags should only be filled between one-third (1/3) to one-half (1/2) of their capacity. This keeps the bag from getting too heavy and permits the bags to be stacked with a good seal.
Please do not remove shovels from the Sandbag Station.
Watch this video about how to fill and use storm sandbags: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/5976/Sandbags
To ensure sufficient sand and bags are available, please only take what you need. If the station needs supplies, notify Public Works at 925-934-3908. (This week, sand has been in high demand and we are refilling the stations as needed during normal business hours.) You can also purchase sandbags from local home improvement or construction material stores.

Prepare For Heavy Rain And Strong Winds Wednesday Evening Into Thursday:
A major storm and atmospheric river is expected to impact California today and Thursday with heavy to excessive rainfall, flooding and high winds. Stay informed about the weather through the National Weather Service Bay Area webpage: www.weather.gov/mtr. If you are on social media, you can also follow them for the latest information at twitter.com/NWSBayArea, www.facebook.com/NWSBayArea and www.youtube.com/user/NWSBayArea

RAKE UP LEAVES: Residents are asked to make sure that they clear as much debris as they can from storm drains near their homes. Clogged storms drains are the most common cause of flooding in our residential neighborhoods. Raking up leaves and properly disposing of them in your green waste container can help reduce the risk of flooding. Do not blow or rake leaves into the street or into creeks as this can contribute to flooding! Also, check that the storm drain nearest your property is not clogged with leaves or other debris.

KEEP CREEKS AND DRAINAGE CHANNELS CLEAR: Cleaning of drainage channels and swales or storm drains on private property is the responsibility of the property owner(s). The City’s Public Works Department does not assist with drainage issues on private streets or with issues between private property owners unless the area is in the public right-of-way or within a formally accepted drainage easement.

Creeks are an important part of our area’s drainage system and obstructions can lead to increased flooding. If your property has a creek or a waterway flowing through it, it is your responsibility to maintain it. Proper creek care includes safely removing tree limbs, leaves, trash, and other objects that can cause blockages. Secure outdoor furniture and other objects that may be moved around by strong wind. Read more about creek maintenance.

KEEP MOBILE PHONES CHARGED IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGES: With heavy rain and strong winds expected, there could be power outages. Remember to keep your mobile phones charged. (Strong storms can result in fallen trees, which can take out power and phone lines, however, mobile phones will most likely still function.) You are encouraged to also have a flashlight and other emergency supplies handy. Outage information will be available for viewing on PG&E’s outage map. In addition, there are emergency preparedness safety tips available through PG&E’s Safety Action Center.

To Report Flooding or Fallen Trees Blocking the Roadway
If you see any flooding of public roadways or down trees, please call the Public Works Hotline at (925) 934-3908 or go to: https://bit.ly/lpwrequest. For your convenience, you can also download the My Lafayette App to your smartphone and use it to report flooding, etc. (See instructions below.)

If the situation is a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 or the Sherriff’s Office Dispatch at (925) 284-5010.

The City of Lafayette’s mobile app, My Lafayette, provides you with an easy and convenient option for reporting maintenance requests. It can be downloaded for free on Apple and Android devices. Via the My Lafayette app, maintenance request issues are automatically entered into the City’s work order system so that they can be tracked and assigned to the appropriate City department. Users who create an account can follow the status of their request, by using a unique tracking number for each case. You also have the option to share photos directly from your phone and your precise location to help us better understand your request.

Use Caution
When out and about (walking or driving) be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of trees during the storm. You can report trees blocking travel lanes using the app or the number above.

It is advised to avoid muddy trails since this causes damage to the trail.

Avoid areas that are prone to flooding. Do not attempt to cross a section of road or trail that has water running over it.

Remember to stay away from the low-water areas, creeks, and floodplains; and be aware that high winds and saturated grounds can combine to cause trees and branches to fall suddenly.

If you see downed power lines, stay away and report downed lines to 911. Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous.

Drive Safely
When driving in heavy storm conditions, give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination and maintain a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. If your windshield wipers are on, your headlights MUST be on as well.

Driving through a flooded area puts your vehicle at risk for stalling out and becoming stuck in the water, so please do not drive through standing water.

For a list of local public roads and trails impacted by the storms, go to this webpage and scroll down to the “Impacted Roads & Trails” section.

Of note: The storm on New Year’s Eve caused a landslide in Briones Regional Park resulting in mud on a portion of southbound Pleasant Hill Road between Springhill Rd. and Deer Hill Rd. This has been cleaned up, however, today’s rain may cause more mudflow. Additionally, a portion of the shoulder on southbound St Mary’s Road between Driftwood Dr. and Camino Colorados was damaged. The City has taken steps to reduce the risk of further soil erosion and is monitoring this area.

Stay Up-To-Date
The City’s website will continue to be updated.

The Police Department will issue significant emergency advisories, such as a major road closure, using Nixle System. Residents who are not currently Nixle subscribers can do so by texting “94549” to “888777” or signing up at http://local.nixle.com/lafayette-police-department. Since we will only send out Nixle notification text messages for significant emergency advisories, you are encouraged to sign up for email-based alerts, and not just text-based alerts.

You can also follow us on social media to receive information about when this page is updated, however, please remember that since our accounts are not monitored 24/7, you should not report dangerous situations via social media. Instead, please use the phone numbers listed above to contact us for an urgent situation.

Social media is a great way you can help to spread the word about City news and information by sharing it quickly with your friends and neighbors!

Facebook: City Page | Police Department Page

Twitter: City Page | Police Department Page

Contact Us
Public Works Hotline (925) 934-3908

Public Works Online Maintenance Request Form https://bit.ly/lpwrequest (non-emergency)

My Lafayette App (for non-emergency Maintenance Requests)

Email Police Department 94549Tip@gmail.com (non-emergency)

Emergencies: 9-1-1 or the Sherriff’s Office Dispatch at (925) 284-5010