The Southern Marin Fire District strongly encourages residents to prepare for upcoming winter storms, power outages, and all high tide events. We recommend that residents prepare themselves and their property from the possibility of wind and water damage.

We urge residents to take preparedness measures by seeking sand and sandbags should they need them. Watch a video on how to fill and place sandbags.

Sand and bags can be purchased at local hardware stores. Sand and sandbags may also be located at the following locations:*

Mill Valley Residents (3 locations):

• Hauke Park parking lot next to Public Safety Building, 1 Hamilton Drive
• Thalia parking lot at Boyle Park off of East Blithedale Avenue
• Parking area on Molino Ave., behind Old Mill Park (approximately 100' yards east of Molino Avenue/Cascade Way)

Sausalito Residents (2 locations):

• Sausalito Corps Yard, 530 Nevada Street
• MLK / Park School, 610 Coloma Street

Strawberry & Alto Residents:

• Miland Drive, first left off of Seminary, by the 7-11. Sand is located next to the fire road gate approximately 500 ft up the hill on the left

Tam Valley Residents:

• Tennessee Valley Road at Marin Avenue, across from TCSD

Tiburon Residents:

• Blackie’s Pasture

*These locations have limited stockpiles of sand and sandbags for emergency use during the rainy season. To use these stockpiles, you must supply your own labor, shovels and support.

Please note that the safety of our citizens is the first priority of City work crews, and that replenishing the sand pile and bags may become a lower priority during a storm event. If you have questions or comments please call your local Department of Public Works.

Please also be aware that precipitation can increase the potential for mudslides on steeper terrain. If you see significant runoff on a slope that is not typically used for drainage, it could be due to a blockage or diversion of water from its regular course somewhere upstream. Please report these instances to Public Works. If you feel that the situation constitutes an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

1. Sausalito Residents: Please call (415) 289-4106 or call the Southern Marin Fire District (415) 388-8182.
2. Mill Valley Residents: Please call (415) 384-4800 or call the Southern Marin Fire District (415) 388-8182.
3. Marin County Residents: Please call (415) 473-7388 or call the Marin County Fire Department (415) 499-6717.
4. If it is an emergency - Call 911.

Residents are advised of possible downed trees and power lines. Report downed power lines by calling 9-1-1 and PGE at 1-800-743-5002. Stay away from the downed powerlines and assume they are energized and dangerous. 

• Check to make sure you have batteries, fully charged back-up battery packs for your devices, and a battery powered radio.
• Recharge your laptop computer, cell phone, and other mobile devices as a precaution against a power outage.
• Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member.
• Freeze water bottles or bags of water for food storage if the power goes out.
• Have enough nonperishable food and water.
• Make sure you can open your garage door if the power goes out.

If the power goes out:

• Do not call 9-1-1 unless you are having a life-threatening emergency.
• Call (800) 743-5002 or check the PG&E Outage Map for updates. 
• Monitor local news for information and updates - local AM radio stations are a good source of information.

If you see a downed power line call 911 immediately. For more safety information about downed power lines visit PG&E's website.

Flooding or fallen trees may cause traffic back-ups and road closures. Check the City of Mill Valley's Website and City of Sausalito's website for Road Closures and Traffic.

Drive with Caution: 

• When driving in the rain, use extra caution and always have your headlights on. Remember, if you turn on your windshield wipers, turn on your headlights.
• Please obey the speed limits and follow other traffic at a safe distance.
• If traffic signals are out or flashing red, come to a full stop at every intersection, and proceed as you would at a four-way stop.

• High tides, combined with high run-off sometimes leads to flooding on lower Miller Avenue and Camino Alto, as well as the Redwood Hwy Frontage Road. Please click here for High Tide information.

Sign up for alerts and warnings. Check for regular updates to the  www.smfd.org website, as well as, emergency.marincounty.gov

Who to Call During a Storm:

1. Sausalito Residents: Please call (415) 289-4170 for all storm-related calls or call the Fire District (415) 289-4155
2. Marin County Residents: Please call (415) 473-7388 for all storm-related calls or call the Marin County Fire Department (415) 499-6717.
3. If it is an emergency - Call 911.
4. Report a Power Outage: If there is a power outage, call (800) 743-5002 to report the outage.

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