Hey I just wanted to reflect post Tuesday’s bomb cyclone which saw many downed trees across Alameda that we should really be giving a huge “thanks” to AMP workers for keeping the power on for the vast majority of Alamedans during a time when I think we were all anticipating that we would all be hunkering down in the dark. The fact that we didn’t have to is really a testament to whatever it is AMP is doing in order to harden our electrical systems during the good times so that when the bad times hit we’re not without power for days on end.
Added to that an additional thanks to public works (and public safety employees) who were out in the horrible weather extracting people from dangerous situations (like trees toppling on cars) and clearing the road from hazards quickly. When I was coming home on Tuesday afternoon I saw only one downed tree on RAMP near the College, the next morning there were a whole lot more, pulled up from their roots, but clearly had been taken care taken enough from someone in the City to make sure they were no longer a public hazard.
I will note that what happened on Tuesday was one of those “emergencies” that some folks like to bring up when discussions of developments or even Housing Elements come up. Of course in this emergency we were all told to stay off the roads (and honestly if you didn’t have to go somewhere, would you have?) and stay at home if possible. Barring a tsunami which will require actually evacuation and we’d have hours and hours of notice for that, most emergency situations will require that Alamedas do the same that they did not Tuesday. Get into shelter and stay off the roads. Anyone who thinks they’ll need to mass exodus Alameda in every emergency should remember what they did on Tuesday and consider if hopping in their car and driving inland was anywhere near their mind.
Blogging Bayport Alameda 
Even in a tsunami, only Bay Farm should really be evacuating. The main island should just go to towards the middle of the island a bit. Basically anywhere you can see a stately Victorian, it will be dry.
Comment by cw — March 23, 2023 @ 8:30 am
Our tsunami hazard map claims very little of the old main island is at risk. Let’s hope that holds as the seas rises…
Comment by Alex Spehr — March 23, 2023 @ 9:19 am
Working from home on Wednesday I watched out my front window as two young people pulled the tree in front of my house out of the ground as if it was an after school past time. I didn’t have the quickness to get up and take pics as I watched in a bit of shock and annoyance at what they were doing. Within an hour a walker took pics and I assume sent them to the correct link at the city because within another hour the tree was being cut down. The quick response of the city was impressive. The delinquent behavior of the youth was well..teens acting like teens.
Comment by ehh — March 23, 2023 @ 10:15 am
There are obviously many possible emergencies when one should stay put, but also many when it makes sense, and might be essential, to leave the island.
Consider the following earthquake possibilities:
-water supply over the estuary cut off, but water available over the bridge
-friends & loved ones across bridge need help or rescue
-same can offer refuge if island shelter destroyed
Just to name a few. These things can’t happen, or will be seriously hobbled, without flowing traffic. And it’s a two way street: flowing traffic allows water, rescue and other critical services to come to us.
Comment by dave — March 23, 2023 @ 11:24 am
It’s a good idea to have hard plastic jugs with 72 hours worth of water in them. REI sells some nice ones.
Comment by quirkystreets — March 23, 2023 @ 11:37 pm