Winter Storm Preparation
As winter weather approaches, Foster City residents and merchants are encouraged to prepare:
- Clear rain gutters.
- Restock emergency supply kits.
- Update emergency plans.
- Review preparedness checklists and resources from the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department.
- Review San Mateo County's Storm Preparedness Checklist.
- Sign up for the San Mateo County SMC Alert System to be notified of urgent or emergency situations.
The City is preparing as well by performing a variety of tasks to ensure that the City’s infrastructure is well maintained, including:
- Lowering the lagoon from summer levels to winter levels on November 18, 2024. The City's Lagoon Management Plan sets standard lagoon water levels for winter and summer periods. Around mid-March, the lagoon level is raised to summer operating levels, and in mid-November, the lagoon level is lowered to prepare for potential winter storms.
- Setting up a sandbag station at the City Hall parking lot at 610 Foster City Boulevard starting first week in November. Sand, bags, and shovels are provided so that Foster City residents and merchants can fill bags themselves. Residents and merchants can pick up a maximum of ten sandbags. The sandbag station will continue to be available during the winter storm season.
- Performing regular maintenance. Crews are clearing sanitary sewer lines to avoid backups in heavy rains, clearing storm drain catch basins to prevent flooding in surrounding areas, and stocking supplies.
Contacts and Resources
Contact PG&E for power-related issues at (800) 743-5000. Check PG&E's Power Outage Map.
Check Bay Area Weather Updates via the National Weather Service.
For questions, comments, or to request non-emergency services related to storms, such as fallen trees in the public right of way, please contact the Public Works Department at (650) 286-8140 or report via Foster City Access.
To report non-life-threatening flood emergencies, please contact the Police Department Business Line at (650) 286-3300.
For life threatening emergencies, please dial 911.
Continue checking back to this page, or the city's social media pages for the most recent information regarding storm activity