Spring is less than a week away, but the National Weather Service has put out a winter storm advisory for Northeastern Mendocino Interior and Northern Lake Counties from 2 AM to 11 AM tomorrow. We could see up to four inches of snow at elevations above 1500 feet, with wind gusts up to 35 mph possible. Mendocino and Lake County emergency managers say they are watching the weather and are prepared. With storm impacts expected throughout much of the state Friday — periods of heavy rain, heavy mountain snow and widespread strong winds are in the forecast — Governor Newsom has directed the California Office of Emergency Services to coordinate statewide response efforts, including the pre-deployment of over 400 fire and rescue personnel. The forecast says the worst of the storm should be over by this time tomorrow.
CHP is urging drivers to be extra careful during the storm. They say you should avoid unnecessary travel, watch your speed, use your headlights to increase visibility, and keep a safe distance between your car and the one in front of you.
If you live along the coast, you know that tsunamis–rare as they are- pose a threat. Mendocino County wants a coastal resident to prepare, just in case. The country is taking part in a multi-countyTsunami preparedness drill next week, which is National Tsunami Preparedness Week. They’re planning a drill next Thursday, the 26th, to test community readiness in case of a Tsunami. If you sign up, you’ll get a message on your phone at 11 AM simulating the REAL message that would go out in an Earthquake capable of causing a big wave. If you get that message, officials want you to physically practice what you’d do. You can access tsunami zone maps on the Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group website and register for the drill via a survey at mendoready.org. Officials say if you live in a potential danger zone, in a real quake you shouldn’t wait for the alert but head for higher ground once the shaking stops.
The City of Ukiah and Ukiah Valley Fire Authority are looking for your thoughts about their strategic plan at a community meeting next week. Officials call the plan a key roadmap to the future of local fire services. The city and UVFA say they have worked with a consultant to look at current services and explore future priorities. Fire Chief Doug Hutchinson says public input is vital to the process. The meeting is next Tuesday, 5:30, at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center.
