Crime & Safety

Batten Down the Hatches: Wind Storm on its Way

Take precautions; high winds expected throughout week. Let us know if you have a downed tree.

It's a beautiful calm morning in Novato, but strong winds are expected to slam the Bay Area over the next two days, and that could mean some inconveniences for you. Have you taken any precautions?

Pacific Gas & Electric is anticipating some power outages if the wind storm produces the 60 mph gusts that weather forecasters are predicting, spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian said. Crews from utilities and city public works have been out preparing for the storm.

The National Weather Service has issued a high-wind warning for the Bay Area that will be in effect for Wednesday and Thursday as a dry weather system moves through the region, weather service forecaster Duane Dykema said.

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's not really what most people would consider a 'storm,'" Dykema said

Rain is not expected, but gusts of 60 to 70 mph are anticipated at higher elevations, with gusts of 40 to 45 mph in lower-lying areas.

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's going to be really blustery almost everywhere," Dykema said.

Of the power outages in PG&E's service area, 13 percent are caused by tree limbs that fall onto power lines. Of those, 90 percent are caused by healthy tree branches, she said.

Customers can report power outages by calling PG&E at 800-743-5002. People who encounter a downed power line should assume it is live, keep a safe distance away, and call 911 and PG&E.

If a tree or branch is blown over or causing traffic problems but nobody is injured, report it to Novato police at 897-4361 during regular office hours or 897-1122 after hours. They will alert the city public works department.

Let us know what problem areas you think will be bad? Or if you see a problem, report it.

Do you want to participate in our storm coverage? You can post any photos or video to this story as long as you have a login and password on the site (which is free). Or you can e-mail the editor at brent.ainsworth@patch.com if you see anything serious out there.

— Bay City News contributed to this report.


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