A second rainstorm in less than a week was scheduled to hit the Bay Area on Wednesday, Jan. 4, and continue into Thursday, Jan. 5 (the Alameda Sun went to press before the scheduled rainstorm). The rainstorm is scheduled to be accompanied by winds reaching up to 30 miles an hour on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). As a result, the NWS issued a flood watch and a high wind warning for Alameda County from 4 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday.

Friday is scheduled to bring weather relief, but more rain is forecasted for Saturday and Sunday.

City officials asked residents to pack a “go bag” to evacuate quickly, stock up on medications, plan for pet needs and sign up for Alameda County emergency text and email alerts at www.acalert.org.

The first rainstorm brought significant flooding to several areas throughout the City of Alameda on Saturday, Dec. 31. Flooding was spotted on Fernside Boulevard between Liberty and Encinal avenues; Harbor Bay Parkway between Doolittle Drive and Ron Cowan Parkway; at the intersection of Ninth Street and Buena Vista Avenue; and in sections of South Shore. City officials asked residents to avoid these areas.

Personnel from the Public Works Department worked to address the problems. Crews placed barricades to close:
• All of Harbor Bay Parkway
• Intersection of Main Street and Willie Stargell/Midway
• Intersection of Webster Street and Willie Stargell
• Brush Street

Residents are asked to call Public Works if:
• There is a pile of leaves and/or other debris in the parking lane
• A culvert, inlet, or storm drain appears clogged up with leaves and/or debris
• A street tree appears weakened, diseased, or dying
• You see malfunctioning traffic signals, downed trees or branches, and/or flooding into a traffic lane

To contact Public Works, call 510-747-7900.