San Rafael’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is actively preparing for the rainy season and managing recent stormy weather to ensure community safety and infrastructure resilience. Through critical stormwater maintenance projects and immediate responses to residents’ needs, DPW is working hard to protect San Rafael from the impacts of severe weather.
Why it matters:
San Rafael’s proactive stormwater management reduces the risk of flooding, protects residents, and safeguards properties during heavy storms.
Community safety in action:
DPW crews are hard at work on both preparation and response efforts:
- Smith Ranch Road: Crews cleared debris from a blocked headwall at the stormwater holding pond, ensuring resources are freed up to respond faster during storm-induced flooding.
- North Francisco Pump Station: A deep-clean of the City’s largest stormwater pump station was completed, removing sediment, trash, and other debris to optimize pump operation during heavy rains.
- Citywide Readiness: Crews have been busy cleaning storm drains, trimming trees, clearing vegetation, maintaining pump stations, and assisting residents with sandbags to reduce the risk of localized flooding.
Shout-out:
A big thank you to our Public Works team for their tireless efforts in keeping San Rafael safe, both in preparation for and during severe weather in their role as first responders. Their commitment helps protect our community.
The bottom line:
By tackling essential maintenance tasks and providing responsive support to residents, San Rafael’s DPW is leading the charge in preparing for severe weather and managing its impacts. Together, we are enhancing the city’s resilience and safeguarding our community against climate challenges.
This update highlights critical health alerts: pre-holiday food recalls, bird flu detections, clade I Mpox in the Bay Area, and respiratory virus surveillance.
Why it matters: As the holiday season approaches, staying informed about potential health risks is essential for the safety and well-being of Marin County residents.
Community vigilance:
- Food recalls: Organic carrots linked to E. coli and Chinese sausage due to Listeria contamination have prompted public health alerts. Residents should avoid consuming raw milk, as bird flu has been detected in local wastewater and retail samples.
- Bird flu: The statewide outbreak of H5N1 includes cases in local poultry farms and dairies, with 29 human infections reported among dairy workers.
Proactive health measures:
- Clade I Mpox: While the risk remains low, Marin County Public Health is monitoring the first U.S. case of this strain in the Bay Area.
- Respiratory surveillance: Stay informed about COVID-19, influenza, and RSV trends through Marin’s health monitoring resources.
Stay updated: For more information, visit Marin County Public Health’s website.
The County of Marin’s Countywide Priority Setting Committee (PSC) invites community members to a public meeting to discuss funding priorities and recommendations.
Why it matters: Community input is vital for setting funding priorities that directly impact local projects and services. Engaging in these discussions ensures that the community’s voice is heard and reflected in the decision-making process.
Details: This open-to-all meeting will be conducted via Zoom on Thursday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m. Registration is necessary to participate.
What’s next: Community members are encouraged to register for the Zoom meeting or submit comments in advance via email to federalgrants@marincounty.org. Participation strengthens community influence on local governance.
For more information about the Federal Grants programs, please visit the Federal Grants website.
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