Santa Clara County Prepares for a Wet Presidents Day Weekend

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The County of Santa Clara Office of Emergency Management has coordinated the emergency response for two incoming weather systems with local and regional partners including the National Weather Service, Cal OES, Valley Water, PG&E, and 15 cities and towns.  

The National Weather Service forecasted rainfall for Santa Clara County is between 1.5 – 3” in the valleys and 3 – 4” in the mountains with gusty winds of 25 mph in the valley and up to 45 mph in the mountains. Saturated soils may increase the risk of runoff causing potential flooding on roadways and waterways. Those living in or near rivers, streams, or creeks should seek higher ground or shelter.

"We continue to prepare to offer resources to the most vulnerable. The County libraries regularly operate as warming centers and provide refuge to those facing the cold," said Kathryn Kaminski, Deputy Director of the Office of Supportive Housing. "Outreach teams and community volunteers are in the field working with community service providers, visiting encampments to distribute supplies and raising awareness about the availability of warming centers, inclement weather shelter beds, and essential resources.”

County libraries will operate as warming centers to provide a safe, heated space for people seeking refuge from the cold on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday or as conditions warrant. The City of San José libraries and select community centers will operate as warming centers during regular business hours. For city libraries, go to www.sjpl.org/locations for hours and locations. For city community centers, please go to bit.ly/sjcommunitycenters. For a complete list of warming center locations throughout Santa Clara County, go to www.preparescc.org/coldweather.

College Terrace Library
2300 Wellesley St.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Downtown Library
270 Forest Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St.
Gilroy, CA 95020
Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 19 from 1 – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 1 – 9 p.m.

Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Rd.
Los Altos, CA 94022
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Los Gatos Library 
100 Villa Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Mitchell Park Library
3700 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave.
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18 from 1 – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 12 – 9 p.m.

Mountain View Community Center
201 S. Rengstorff Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94040
Saturday, Feb. 17 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Mountain View Police Services Fire Administration Building Lobby
1000 Villa St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Press yellow call box button on Sundays and holidays to request entry into the lobby. Pets allowed and must be leashed or caged in carrier.)

Mountain View Public Library
585 Franklin St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18 from 1 – 5 p.m.

Rinconada Library
1213 Newell Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Woodland Library
1975 Grant Rd.
Los Altos, CA 94024
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Sunday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Lower temperatures elevate the risk of cold-related illnesses, such as hypothermia and frostbite. Symptoms of hypothermia include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion, severe shivering, clumsiness and lack of coordination, slurred speech, or mumbling. High risk groups include older adults, young children, those with chronic medical conditions, and unsheltered community members. If you see someone who may be experiencing symptoms of hypothermia, call 911 immediately. Hypothermia is a serious medical emergency.

Community members are encouraged to take the necessary cold weather precautions:  
•    Minimize outdoor exposure during the coldest parts of the day or in prolonged extreme cold conditions.
•    Dress in Layer for effective insulation including wearing a hat, scarf, and gloves/mittens to shield against the cold.
•    Safeguard against hypothermia and frostbite by wearing waterproof and/or weatherproof shoes and clothing.
•    Promptly change out of wet clothing to prevent hypothermia.
•    Drink plenty of water ensure proper hydration to maintain bodily warmth.
•    The use of drugs and alcohol increases the risk of cold weather-related fatalities. Prioritize safety—refrain from using substances to combat the cold. Instead, seek refuge in a warming center.
For additional information (in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog), please visit www.preparescc.org/coldweather.    
 
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About the Office of Emergency Management 
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is at the forefront of ensuring the safety and resilience of the Santa Clara County community. We remain steadfast, devoted to a core mission - safeguarding lives, protecting property, and preserving the environment. These values form the cornerstone of our existence, guiding us through the phases of emergency management, from emergency preparedness, prevention, and mitigation to the intricate coordination of response and recovery. We envision a future where disaster preparedness is not an individual burden, but a shared responsibility woven into the fabric of our community. This vision extends to every corner of the Operational Area, where we strive for a culture where every resident, every organization, and every entity is prepared.

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