Winter Storm Graphic

Safety Tips for Weathering the First Significant Storm of the Season

Using a sophisticated weather network, our in-house meteorologists are closely monitoring the coming storm so our crews can be prepared to prevent and respond to storm-related service interruptions.

Gusty west winds are forecast to begin in mountain areas tonight, and coastal areas tomorrow morning, becoming widespread by tomorrow afternoon. Light showers tonight and tomorrow morning are expected, giving way to widespread moderate to heavy rain tomorrow afternoon.

Additional light to moderate showers are expected this weekend.

Tips to Keep You and Your Family Safe During the Storm

1. Secure Loose Items in Your Yard

Make it a habit to secure loose items in your yard before a rainstorm because: 1) you don’t want belongings to be damaged by water; and 2) one of the most common causes of outages during storms is flying debris, such as tarps and pool covers getting tangled up with power lines.

2. Drive Safe

When roads are wet and slippery, chances of getting into a vehicle accident are higher. A car needs two to three times more stopping distance on wet pavement. Be extra vigilant and slow down. Don’t let yourself be the driver whose car hits a power pole or transformer, knocking out power for yourself and your neighbors.

If you have noticed problems with your work or personal vehicles, now is the time to resolve any issues.

  • Tires should be replaced immediately if damaged or worn out. They should have adequate tread and be inflated according to the manufacturer specifications.
  • Replace windshield wipers if they are dried out or leave streak marks on the windshield. Note: 100 percent silicone wiper blades last longer.
  • Clean the surface of the vehicle lights and reflectors to improve visibility. Any burned out, broken, or dim lights should be replaced immediately.

3. Don’t Touch Downed Power Lines

Fallen electric lines are extremely dangerous. If a person or piece of equipment comes in contact with an electric line, or if a line is down, call 911 and SDG&E at 800-411-SDGE (7343) to report the incident.  

If a person or animal has come into contact with a power line, do not touch them or any equipment involved because the line may still be energized.

What to Do If There’s a Power Outage

While rainstorms and power outages don’t always happen hand in hand, it’s always good to familiarize yourself with these safety tips, just in case:

  • Use a flashlight – instead of candles – for light, as candles can be fire hazards
  • If using a standby generator, follow these safety tips
  • Turn off major appliances like dishwashers or televisions that were running when the power went out to prevent them from starting unexpectedly when power is restored
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food fresh
  • Leave one light on so you know when power is restored

More Resources

  • Remember to check our online outage map or mobile app for the latest outage information.

  • To follow the latest forecast of rain, wind, and temperature by community, visit SDGEweather.com.
  • For streaming views of weather from local mountaintops, check out Alert SDG&E Cameras.