At the city of Kenmore we want to make sure our residents are well-equipped to prepare for and deal with fall and winter storms. Taking steps to prepare for storms helps to lessen their impact on your home and the community. Your proactive work today can save time, money, and potentially lives down the road.

Heavy rain and wind can bring debris, fallen trees and often flooding. We can use your help to prevent localized flooding by keeping storm drains clear of debris near your home. Households near flood-prone areas can prepare for seasonal flooding by stocking up on sandbags, which the city provides at no cost to residents at four designated locations. If your street or home does flood, remember not to walk or drive in flooded areas. Please report severe flooding to Kenmore City Hall.

Wind, of course, can bring power-outages from damaged or downed power lines. In the event of a downed power line, stay as far as way as possible and call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773. Don’t touch the power line nor a person or object that has had contact with it.

With icy or snowy roadways, we all need to be extra vigilant and drive slowly. It will take you longer to stop in poor road conditions so be on the lookout for other stopped vehicles and other road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

Now is a great time to make sure your family has a kit prepared and ready in case of emergency. Be prepared for the worst. The city recommends that your family have a 72-hour disaster preparedness kit that includes supplies such as food, light sticks, water, flashlights, a battery-powered radio and a first-aid kit. If you’re ever in immediate danger from a threat, call 911. Lastly, in Kenmore we care about our city and our neighbors. I encourage checking with those living around you to see if they need assistance maintaining their yard, clearing their storm drain, or maintaining vegetation in the right-of-way adjacent to their home. During an emergency or disaster, be sure to check that they are all right.

Be aware of your surroundings and stay safe as we begin to turn the corner on another year.

You can always find more emergency and disaster information at www.kenmorewa.gov/preparedness.

David Baker is the mayor of Kenmore.