Winter Weather

Keep these numbers handy for emergencies, and share them with neighbors:

For Life-threatening Emergencies, call 9-1-1 immediately. This includes medical emergencies and situations with immediate risk to life.

For storm-related public works emergencies that do not involve risk to life or risk of injury on public property or in the public right-of-way, call 3-1-1 or (510) 615-5566 from a cell phone. Examples include flooding streets, downed trees and tree limbs, and traffic signal outages. 

For non-emergency public works problems, you can call 3-1-1, submit a report online, or use the OAK 311 app

For downed power lines or if you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately, call 9-1-1 and then call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. ALWAYS assume a downed powerline is still energized. If a power line falls on your vehicle while you are in it, DO NOT exit the vehicle. Immediately call 9-1-1.

For water service emergencies such as broken hydrants, broken water main pipes, and no water service, contact EBMUD at 1-866-403-2683

For non-emergency community resource referrals, call 2-1-1 anytime or text 898211 Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 4 PM for assistance.

For non-emergency individual well-being checks, you can request a MACRO team to check on an individual by calling (510) 44-MACRO which is (510) 446-2276. For additional information on the type of calls MACRO responds to and their current operating hours, please visit the MACRO information page.

Personal Safety and Warming

• Dress in layers as opposed to a singular bulky item
• Stay dry or bring a change of clothing; cotton is not effective when wet
• Cover up with a hat, scarf, mittens, and insulated boots
• A face mask can help protect your lungs from cold air as well as germs
• Keep a spare blanket in your car in case you breakdown
• Stay hydrated: heated air can cause dehydration

Household Safety and Warming

• Roll up a towel to help prevent cold air from coming through gaps under your doors and windows
• Cover windows with thick curtains to help insulate your home
• Set your ceiling fan to "winter" mode to help circulate warm air
• Make sure that there is a minimum of 3 feet clearance near heater sources and fireplaces
• If you have a fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned prior to lighting a fire
• NEVER use an oven or stove to heat your home
• NEVER run a generator indoors

Warming Centers

As we enter the cold winter season, you can call 2-1-1 for information about warming centers being opened. Please note, different centers may have varying policies on pets and what items you can bring with you. 

2025-2026 Winter Season Warming Centers:

The Oakland Public Library has heated facilities and are open to the public during their normally posted hours. A list of locations and hours are available here. Please be respectful of library policies, staff, and other patrons.  

This list will be updated as warming centers start to open. This page is not updated with live capacities and may be full. Unless otherwise noted, the following centers are community operated and not affiliated with the City of Oakland.

Current Centers as of November 26, 2025: NONE

Before Winter Storms:

You can take simple steps now to reduce the impact of weather-related emergencies. Review your emergency plans now and prepare your loved ones, home, and vehicles. Here are some suggested steps:

Manage Vegetation and Debris

• Clear your gutters and downspouts; ensure downspouts are working and pointing away from your house
• Keep your curbs and sidewalk gutters clear of leaves and debris (please do not sweep them into the gutter)
• Check the storm drain near your house and use a rake to keep it clear of debris (see the City of Oakland's Adopt-a-Drain program)
• Make sure that backflow prevention devices are working properly. Consult a plumber to have one installed if necessary
• Trim trees on your property to help them handle wind and rain
• Call a certified arborist to inspect your trees if you see unusual leaning or dead branches

Check your Emergency Plans and Supplies

• Check out your local hardware store for flood prevention tools and techniques
• Keep a supply of sandbags to divert water away from your property or prevent it from coming in through doors and basement windows
• Check in with friends, family, and neighbors who may need help during extreme weather
• Pack a Go Bag to evacuate quickly
• Have insurance policies handy (tip: take a photo or video of each room in your home beforehand)
• Review emergency procedures and evacuation plans at your children's schools
• Make sure you have emergency supplies to last for at least three days, including:
  • Water
  • Food
  • Medicine
  • Other supplies for family members' and pets' needs

We encourage you to get an early supply of sandbags at your local hardware, landscaping or home improvement stores now before supplies are exhausted. Purchasing sandbags and sheeting now means you'll be able to place them before rain and flooding endanger your home, store or property.

Watch the City's videos below on How to Prepare Sandbags and How to Place Plastic Sheeting.

Help Keep Drains Clear

Hundreds of volunteers across Oakland have adopted storm drains to help their neighborhoods prepare for rainstorms. It doesn't take much to keep a storm drain clear. A little volunteer effort goes a long way in helping Public Works maintain over 13,000 storm drains to reduce flooding and prevent pollution of our waterways. When you sign up to Adopt-a-Drain, you become eligible to borrow City tools and supplies, and you will receive the City's rain alert notifications.

During Winter Storms

It is important to remain safe during winter storms and know what to do during an emergency situation.

Never walk or drive through flood waters. According to the National Weather Service, "a mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks".

Do not use your oven or stove to heat your home. This creates additional risk of burns, fire, and carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Driving and Vehicle Safety:

Driving in the winter can be harrowing, especially in heavy rain and icy conditions. By getting your car ready for winter and using some simple tips to drive safely, you can reduce your risk of an accident or injury. 

• Test your battery; battery power drops as the temperature drops
• Ensure you have adequate tread on your tires and use either all-season tires or winter tires
• Check your tire pressure, which can drop as the temperature drops
• Check your wiper blades and replace if needed
• If traveling up to the Sierras, Lake Tahoe, or other snowy area, remember to carry chains appropriate for your car
• Keep an emergency Go Bag for your car and include a supply or water and food in case you are stranded by a winter storm
• If equipped, remove ice or dirt from cameras and sensors on your vehicle so that assistive-driving features like blind-spot monitoring and back up cameras work properly

When driving:

• Increase your following distance so that you have more time to stop if needed
• Turn on your headlights, even in daytime hours, in periods of low-visibility; do not use high beams in foggy conditions
• Know what to do if you hydroplane
• Never drive through a flooded road or go around road barriers; remember- Turn Around, Don't Drown.

Downed Power Lines

Always assume a downed power line is still energized. Stay away from a downed power line, keep others away, and call 9-1-1 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. 

If a power line falls on your vehicle while you are in it, do not exit the vehicle unless a greater danger exists, such as your vehicle catching on fire. See PG&E's suggestion on how to exit your vehicle as a last resort.

Monitor Potential Sources of Flooding and Landslides

If your property is adjacent to a creek, culvert, or other potential source of flooding, keep an eye on water levels and on emergency alerts. If you are in an area prone to landslides or near a wildfire burn scar, be prepared to evacuate. 

After a Winter Storm

When a winter storm has passed, take the opportunity to assess your property and prepare for the next storm.

Clear downed trees from your property so that the vegetation isn't blown around during a wind event and potentially damage your windows. Sweep up leaves and twigs to prevent storm drains from clogging.

Check the trees around your property for damage that could lead to a limb or the tree itself coming down on you or your house down the line. 

Assess your roof for damage and missing shingles. If time allows before the next storm, make repairs to prevent water damage inside your house or cover up your damaged roof if there isn't enough time before the next storm arrives. 

Even if you cleared your gutters before the storm, winds may have filled it up with leaves again. If safe to do so, check your gutters and clear them out if necessary. 

Make sure vents and exhaust outlets for your house, dryer, and furnaces are clear of debris and blockages.

Do not use any gas or electrical appliances exposed to floodwater until they have been checked for safety. If the pilot light on your water heater or furnace, shut off the gas valve to your appliance and let the gas dissipate before attempting to relight your appliance. If you still smell natural gas after ventilating your room, do not relight the appliance and contact a professional. You may need to shut off your gas main if there is a leak elsewhere on your property. 

If your power is out, make sure you keep your generator outdoors away from combustible materials and at least 20 feet away from any windows or doors. When power is restored to your neighborhood, turn your circuit breakers on one at a time to help prevent a power surge.

Update your emergency supplies and replace anything that was used.

Oakland's Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT)

Help us be #ReadyOakland. Through Oakland's Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT), individuals can organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers can support their neighborhoods and be effective until professional first responders can arrive. In addition to supporting OPW's free sandbags operations during weather events, CERT volunteers have helped their neighborhoods by surveying and completing storm hazard reporting for the City's Emergency Operations Center. 

Adopt-a-Drain

Hundreds of volunteers across Oakland have adopted storm drains to help their neighborhoods prepare for rainstorms. It doesn't take much to keep a storm drain clear. A little volunteer effort goes a long way in helping Public Works maintain over 13,000 storm drains to reduce flooding and prevent pollution of our waterways. When you sign up to Adopt-a-Drain, you become eligible to borrow City tools and supplies, and you will receive the City's rain alert notifications.