San Franciscans enjoy moderate weather compared to the extremes endured by the majority of the country. However, between November and March, Bay Area residents face a rainy season frequently marked by torrential storms. How can you best prepare for the deluge? Who should you call if your street is flooded or power lines are down?

• If you live in a potential flood zone, always be ready for the worst. Just as you would make preparations for a possible earthquake, have emergency resources on hand for a flood:
  
  
  • Keep a sealed rubber trash bin stocked with emergency supplies in an accessible place. Include: canned food, a manual can opener, bottled water, a first aid kit, a radio, batteries, a flashlight, warm clothes, and blankets.
    
    
  • Make sure that insurance documents are easy to retrieve and stored in a secure spot.
    
    
  • Most importantly, don’t overlook essential preventive measures. Check the position of all drains in your home relative to the sewer vent on the sidewalk outside. If drains or fixtures sit lower than the sewer vent, you face a potential problem and might need to install a special valve to prevent backflow. The City’s Plumbing Inspector can answer further questions and recommend the best location for this kind of device: call (415) 558-6054.
    
    
• In the event of an actual flood, safety should be your paramount concern:
  
  
  • If any part of your home is swamped, DO NOT WALK THROUGH THE WATER! You could be wading through backed-up sewage or come into contact with electrical current.
    
    
  • Likewise, do not attempt to move your stalled car or try to navigate it over a flooded roadway. Just two feet of water could be enough to sweep an automobile away . If your street is flooded, call the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) at (415) 695-2096 to report the situation.