Late last year I received an extra gift from my mother. It was a package with four battery backup light bulbs. These bulbs have a battery built in, so when the power goes out I will still have light. The bulbs I received are from a company called BrightLiving. The... Read more
As described previously, tide tables are merely estimates calculated by averaging the highs and lows for the last ten years and projecting them forward for the coming year(s). During periods of rain, tide tables must be adjusted to higher levels than forecast. Here is a high water level forecasting tool... Read more
The recent high winds, coupled with the PGE shutoff—though inconvenient and even challenging for some—were easily survivable. What if events had been of a higher magnitude: people trapped or injured, collapsed structures, and outbreaks of fire? The stuff we train for as CERTS. How well would we have responded? A few... Read more
Neighbors helping neighbors. It’s how we weathered the chaos brought on by some unusually high winds, coupled with yet another PGE shut-off. Larry Clinton opined, “I’ve never seen so many whitecaps, and I moved here in the winter of 1980-81, when 90mph gusts closed the GGB. Ironically, we never lost... Read more
Emergency Services Chair Flo Hoylman sends along some lessons learned from the recent PG&E power outage: Lighting ideas I purchased two solar powered lights for less than $20 each. They have their own stand, so I can direct the light in different directions. Use a mirror by the light to... Read more
As soon as the October 10-11 power outage was announced, Emergency Services Chair Flo Hoylman began polling neighbors for their experiences coping with the blackout. Many tips involved keeping food safe: Buy a block of ice or use some empty plastic or glass bottles to make ice to keep the... Read more
Last October’s firestorms claimed 44 victims and the majority were elderly. Statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration confirm that people ages 85 or older have the highest fire death rate (39.5%). They are four times more likely to die in a fire than the general population. Professionals emphasize that planning... Read more
Another weekly tip for Emergency Preparedness Month, provided by Emergency Preparedness Chair Flo Hoylman: You probably have an emergency contacts list attached to your fridge or on your home office bulletin board. Put a copy in your child’s backpack, the glove box of your car, your wallet or purse, and... Read more
Here’s the third tip of Emergency Preparedness Month from our own Flo Hoylman: Your emergency kit should be easy to grab. You can’t know where you’ll be when an earthquake strikes, and may be in a panic trying to keep yourself and your family safe. Your bag should be near... Read more
Since this is Emergency Preparedness Month, each week we’re sharing safety tips provided by Emergency Preparedness Chair Flo Hoylman: Expect the power to be out during a major emergency. That fun flashlight function on your phone? It’s not going to last long without power to plug it in. Plus, your... Read more