Wind may not be the problem with the storm currently cutting across Willow Glen — there’s an official Flood Watch for urban small streams in effect through Saturday night — but we all still remember the damage and power outages caused by the first storm in early January.

On February 2, you’ll have a chance to plan ahead for Storm #3, with the help of San Jose officials and Pacific Gas & Electric, too:

—–Original Message—–

From: Pierluigi Oliverio
Subject: Your Chance to Ask PG&E Questions Live

Dear Neighbors,

Last week, we experienced a “50-year storm,� which brings high gusty winds, more rain than normal and can last for over 24 hours. As a result, trees fell onto sidewalks and streets, some stores had to close and many of us had our electricity out for long periods of time due to the harsh weather.

As we know, we cannot prevent storms or other natural disasters that can create detrimental outcomes; however, what we can do is be as prepared as we can be for an emergency.

In an effort to offer you, your neighbors, friends and family an opportunity to learn more about preparing for an emergency, I am hosting a District 6 Emergency Preparedness Forum on Saturday, February 2, 2008. The forum will be held at the Willows Senior Center located at 2175 Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen. …

The San Jose Police & Fire Departments will be attending in addition to the Office of Emergency Services and PG&E. Each group will give presentations and be available to answer your questions and address your concerns about emergency preparedness.

For the record, Oliverio also goes on to include a list of emergency items you should have on hand in your home or car:

• Water
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Candles
• Portable Radio
• Food (3-day supply) — Cans that do not require an opener, non-perishable food is best…peanut Butter is a good example
• First Aid Kit
• Cash (Credit/Bank cards may not work if the electricity is out)

In addition to my Emergency Preparedness Forum; the following websites have information regarding best practices on how to prepare for an emergency.

http://www.sanjoseca.gov/emergencyServices/

http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/1?OpenForum

http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_239_,00.html

I look forward to seeing you there.

Warm regards,

Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio
City of San Jose, Council District 6
200 E. Santa Clara St., 18th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113-1905
Office Telephone: 408 535-4906

In addition, WGx might humbly suggest you review a previous post from 2005, provided courtesy of then-Councilemember Ken Yeager. That one was actually about earthquake preparedness, but it all seems to a good idea, doesn’t it?