Heat Advisory and Possible Power Shut off

En Español

The National Weather Service is forecasting hot temperatures throughout the region and in Sonoma County over the next few days. Sonoma County will see high temperatures from 11:00 am Tuesday, September 24, through 8:00 pm Wednesday, September 25, 2019, with several areas in the County moving into the orange and red levels in the Heat Risk forecast.

The County is also under a watch for a possible power shut off impacting the eastern portion of our county beginning tonight.

Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) and Emergency Response partners remind residents that excessive heat poses a significant health risk, particularly to the elderly, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases:

• Heat-related illnesses range from cramps and heat exhaustion to heat stroke and, in extreme cases, even death.
• Warning signs of heat-related illness include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness or dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache or weakness.

To check the temperature in your area, please visit the National Weather Service for updated information.

You can protect yourself and those around you by following these guidelines:

• Drink - Drink plenty of cool fluids, even if you are not physically active and even if you are not thirsty. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
• Dress - Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Add a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher).
• Decrease - Limit physical activity and stay indoors in an air-conditioned space. If you do not have air conditioning, visit public spaces such as the library, mall, or community center. If you must be physically active, lower your intensity and take frequent rest breaks in the shade.
• Defend – If you must do work outside, try to schedule it during the early mornings or evenings, after it has cooled down. During the heat of the day, stay in shaded areas. Monitor coworkers and ask them to do the same for you. Check on the elderly, infants and young children frequently. Check on those with medical illnesses or those who are on medication.
• Demonstrate - Use common sense. Make sure animals and pets have plenty of fresh water and shade. Consider bringing pets inside and consider wetting down outside animals.
• Don't - Do Not leave any person or pet in a parked car for any length of time for any reason.

Cooling centers will be opened during this time. For more information, please visit SoCoEmergency.org.

For residents who have health conditions that require medical devices or medication that needs refrigeration, we urge you to reach out to health care provider for questions and prepare to make alternative arrangements to manage health conditions in the event power is shut-off. 

• These arrangements include going to a place that can accommodate your medical device or regulating medication temperature, such as going to a community center that is open or going to friend or family’s home that has power. 
• If you cannot make arrangements to manage a health condition if power is shut off call Sonoma County  2-1-1 to connect to resources that may assist you. If you have an In-Home Supportive Services social worker please contact them first for assistance to manage your health condition.
• If you plan to use a generator to power your life-sustaining medical equipment, please make sure your generator is setup appropriately.

Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Visit Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency for more information.

For more detailed information on dealing with heat emergencies, visit the Sonoma County Department of Health Services’ Heat Emergencies pages:

• General Heat Safety
• Cooling Centers