San Mateo County has released numbers aiming to provide insight on its response to the heavy storms that have caused damage, flooding and displacement since New Year’s Eve.
236: Displaced individuals temporarily housed in hotels
2,001: Meals served to displaced residents
160: Unhoused individuals enrolled in the Inclement Weather Program, which expands shelter capacity
72: Individuals served at temporary evacuation points countywide
40: Red Cross volunteers deployed
30: Generators distributed to households in Pescadero with members in need of electricity for medical issues
500 tons, or 1 million pounds: Bulk sand for sandbags
21,000: Pre-made sandbags provided to local residents, used by County Department of Public Works
35,000: Empty sandbags provided to residents
15,000 feet, or 14 Salesforce Towers: Twine to tie sandbags
10,000: Zip-ties to tie sandbags
1: COW, or Cellular on Wheels, a mobile cellular network, stationed in Pescadero to help boost cellular service
1,417: Calls to Public Safety Communications for fire or emergency medical services on Dec. 31, 2022, the beginning of the storm (compared to about 400 calls on a normal Saturday)*
*Call 9-1-1 only in emergencies. An emergency is any serious medical problem (chest pain, seizure, bleeding), any type of fire (business, car, building), any life-threatening situation (fights, person with weapons) or to report crimes in progress.
484: Calls to 2-1-1 for storm-related, non-emergency assistance (through noon Jan. 10, 2023); top needs were shelter and sandbags
Numbers and photos courtesy of the County. Top photo: San Mateo County Fire Engine 59 responds in Pescadero as floodwaters rise from Pescadero Creek.
