With the National Weather Service forecasting torrential rains in Sacramento over the weekend, the City and County of Sacramento are coordinating efforts to offer places for people to come inside during the worst of the weather.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City Manager Howard Chan announced the City would be activating two storm centers to help residents cope with the expected rainfall.
The City-operated centers – City Hall Lobby (915 I St.) and the Hagginwood Community Center (3271 Marysville Blvd.) — will operate from 8 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday. (Hours may be extended if needed.)
The County of Sacramento — which earlier this week announced it was working to issue emergency motel vouchers to highly vulnerable unsheltered persons ahead of the storm — also plans to open storm-related respite centers. For locations, please refer to the County Severe Weather Respite Program.
“With the forecast predicting a severe storm, it’s crucial that we provide refuge for people living outdoors and exposed to the elements,” Steinberg said. “We are working hard to secure more respite locations that we can operate through the winter. I would like to thank City staff for moving quickly to respond to this unexpected early weather event.”
“I greatly appreciate the urgent work of the City’s Office of Emergency Management, Department of Community Response, and Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment to stand these storm centers up quickly,” Chan said. “I also would like to thank the County of Sacramento for their collaborative work in helping to provide safe and dry spaces for unsheltered residents in our communities.”
The City and County are also urging people living outdoors in or near creek beds and other low-lying areas to move to higher ground before the storm begins Saturday night and to stay away from the streams and ditches. Any clogged drains should be immediately reported to 311.
“We are working with our non-profits and others who work with people experiencing homelessness to make sure people know the storm is coming and they have to consider if they need to move to higher ground,” said Bridgette Dean, director of the Department of Community Response.