The rain is here – and so is the Homes of Silicon Valley ‘Rainy Day Preparedness Checklist.’ We hope that you are home where it is safe, warm & dry with a hot cocoa in-hand and a Netflix movie on! But we also hope that you are ready for the potential challenges of downed trees, fallen fences & power outages. Here are 5 steps every individual & family should review to ensure they are rainy-day ready!

1 – Check your disaster plan & supplies! Just as you need an annual exam, your disaster supplies and plan need a regular review too. As the beginning of the year, January is the perfect time to ensure that your plan is updated, your family is aware of it and that your disaster supplies include COVID-19 essentials. Learn more HERE.

2 – Check your SCC Emergency Alert status. Have you signed-up for Santa Clara County Emergency Alerts? If so, have you changed addresses or phone numbers since? Getting notifications to the right number with regards to the right location is critical in the event of a fire, flood, earthquake or even a local crime. Sign-Up/Log In/Update HERE.

3 – Check your batteries. When is the last time you checked the batteries in your flashlights? Or charged those portable device chargers? High winds often lead to power outages, no other words needed!

4 – Check the hyper-local weather. Weather apps are all the rage – but have you heard of the one that reports the Bay Area’s micro climates? It’s pretty cool (pun intended!). Meet Mr. Chilly HERE.

5 – Check on a neighbor. Chances are, you have seen your neighbors more than almost anyone these days, albeit from 6 feet apart and amidst a driveway happy hour instead of a block party. Stormy weather is a great time to ensure that your neighbors are signed-up for emergency alerts (they can receive home phone notifications if they don’t have a smart phone), or even to deliver a flashlight with fresh batteries!

Last but not least… fallen fences and toppled trees can happen – and probably will! Feel free to reach out to me at any time with any resource needs for home, roof and yard repairs related to weather – or even (and hopefully!) just for fun! I love helping people buy, sell & invest – and watching their homes grow and change with them too! ~ Mark (408.290.0072)