Weather models predict Northern California will see a series of rainstorms through the weekend and beyond.
According to the SF Chronicle, “A pattern shift to a Pacific ridge regime is favored for the final two weeks of December, which would tilt the odds toward below-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation in California.”
The good news is that winds will wipe away the relentless tule fog that has gripped the Central Valley and Bay Area for weeks.
Last month Lynn Lester of Liberty Dock shared some tips with her neighbors for dealing with winter storms. Here are some excerpts that apply to every floating home:
Storms always result in a few kayaks breaking loose and lots of deck cushions and other jetsam floating around in the open areas between docks. So clean your boat of anything that can possibly blow off. If your home faces north and south, pay strong attention to clearing it off or nailing it down, especially on the side facing south. Don’t forget the items that may be sitting on the dock, in front of your house.
Winds can always result in power outages. With a power loss, immediately prevent any liquid from going down any drain. Even if your boat has a back-up battery powered system to drain your holding tank, that feature does not exist at the front of the dock, where the sewer line begins. The power must be back on in order for the sewer line under the dock to push material into the sewer itself and to not begin to back up (yes, into people’s homes even). This was discovered the hard way during a previous long shut down, during which many people brought in generators and just happily pumped away.
So get prepared as above, plus have a supply of batteries and a battery storage bank to be able to charge your phone, your laptop or your computer, which is the only way you will be able to communicate and find out what is happening. Have food you can cook on your gas stove, an old-fashioned can opener, candles that are enclosed safely, warm snugglies to curl up in, a flashlight and any other thing that will make you comfy.
Bring the cat in. Settle down. Listen to the wind. Feel how your house rides the storm. Guaranteed: no one living on land will ever come close to the experience.
And if you haven’t had your pilings and lines checked lately, there’s no time like the present. FHA members can find contact information for line tyers on the Resources page of the FHA website. Matt Butler of the San Rafael Yacht Harbor (415- 456-1600) can replace damaged pilings.