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Next round of Sacramento storm is coming. What to know about outages, driving tips, more

By Jacqueline Pinedo , Hanh Truong and Brianna Taylor

Updated January 11, 2023 3:25 PM

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THURSDAY UPDATE: Sacramento rain isn’t done yet. After storm weakens, here’s the latest forecast

As California experiences its second major storm of the year, meteorologists are saying Wednesday’s action will be even stronger.

A heavy atmospheric river and a bomb cyclone are bringing inches of rain to Northern California, causing flood threats throughout the area.

Sacramento is also bracing for possible power outages and extreme winds that could topple trees.

Here is what you should know to prepare:

What type of storm is this?

Wednesday’s storm is a combination of an heavy atmospheric storm and a bomb cyclone.

“A bomb cyclone is essentially a storm, a low pressure system that strengthens by a matter of 24 millibars in 24 hours,” said Rowe. “The lower the pressure, the stronger the storm.”

How much rain is expected?

Meteorologists are predicting an even stronger storm than the New Year’s Eve.

Between Wednesday morning and Thursday night, up to 3 inches of rain is predicted to fall with wind gusts as high as 55 mph. The National Weather Service predicts difficult driving conditions, accompanied with another round of widespread power outages and fallen trees.

The dangers of flood water

It’s best to stay away from flood water if you can.

“Floodwaters can carry raw sewage and other dangerous hazmat-type substances that once it gets on your skin and clothes and your hands ... you can get really sick,” said Sacramento County spokeswoman Janna Haynes.

Will there be power outages?

Possibly. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, or SMUD, sent out emails and voicemails to customers warning of potential power outages during Wednesday’s storm.

“Our line crews, troubleshooters and other field personnel will work around-the-clock to restore electric service as safely and quickly as possible,” SMUD stated.

You can track SMUD power outages in your area online by entering your address.

Pacific Gas and Electric customers can also track outages online.

What goes in my emergency kit?

The rule of thumb when preparing an at-home emergency kit is to have supplies for a minimum of three days, according to the California Department of Public Health.

An emergency kit should include items that are essential. Ready.gov, a federal website aimed at helping citizens prepare for emergencies and disasters, suggests the following items:

Water — each person needs at least one gallon per day
Nonperishable food items like granola, protein or fruit bars, peanut butter, dried fruit, canned juices
Flashlights
Extra batteries
Battery packs for cellphones
Can opener
Moist towelettes for personal sanitation
A wrench to turn off utilities
First aid kit

Can I run errands in the evening?

You can, but it’s highly discouraged.

Sacramento experienced a lot of flooding over the weekend, which is only expected to continue with Wednesday’s storm. It’s recommended to not drive Wednesday evening, especially with risk of flooding.

It is hard to determine the depth of water on a road when it’s been flooded, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency website. FEMA also warns motorists that moving water is powerful. Six inches of water can knock a person off their feet and a foot of water can easily sweep a vehicle off the road.

Here’s what you should do if you encounter a flooded road according to the Ready.gov:

Evacuate the area immediately when told. Do not drive around barricades, those are used to direct traffic out of flooded areas safely.
Avoid flooded roads: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Try to stay off bridges with fast-moving water below.
If you get trapped in your vehicle in fast-moving water it is advised to stay inside.
You should get on the roof of your car if water begins to leak inside the car.

What if I hydroplane?

If you can’t avoid the roads Wednesday evening — drive cautiously. Hydroplaning is a risk any driver encounters when driving on damp and very wet roads.

To avoid hydroplaning, slow down whenever there’s water on the road. The faster you drive, the easier it will be to lose control of your car.

Another rule of thumb is to check your tire pressure. Cars with low tire pressure or worn tires are more susceptible to hydroplaning.

What if a tree falls on my property during the storm?

There are different rules that apply when trees fall over. It all mostly depends where the tree has fallen to determine who to call.

If a tree falls on your Sacramento home you’ll need to call a private tree service for clean up. Sacramento County won’t assist with fallen trees or branches that land on private streets or property.

If a tree falls on a public Sacramento road the Sacramento County Department of Transportation will remove fallen trees and branches on public roadways including sidewalks, streets and parks. The rules for the city of Sacramento are also similar.

To report a fallen tree or branch on public Sacramento roads you can call the following numbers:

Dial 3-1-1
Dial 916-875-4311
Make a report online at Sacramento County’s 311 website

How to stay updated?

You can stay up-to-date on the storm by listening to Sacramento’s emergency commercial broadcast station, KFBK-AM (1530).

You can sign up for local emergency alert systems to know if you and your home are safe. In the capital region, you can subscribe to alerts online:

Emergency phone numbers

Public Safety Dispatch: 911
City or county of Sacramento: 311
After hours Sacramento County: (916) 875-5000
Sewer Emergencies, Overflows, Backups, Sanitary Sewer Call Center: (916) 875-6730
Water Problems, blocked drains, sewer: (916) 875-7246
SMUD: 1-888 456-7683
Pacific Gas and Electric: 1-800-743-5000

This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Next round of Sacramento storm is coming. What to know about outages, driving tips, more."