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Emergency Notifications

for College of San Mateo, Cañada College and Skyline College

Bay Area to see poor air quality, potential PG&E outages Wednesday as heat builds

View the full abc7News article here

August 30 – August 31, 2023

 A heat wave and a heat dome will build up pollution in Bay Area skies on Wednesday in a significant way.

That means ground-level concentrations of ozone are expected to be in the unhealthy range, especially for seniors and young children, with hazy skies dominating the scene in the East Bay. On Wednesday afternoon, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District warns against strenuous exercise. Polluted air is shortening human lifespans more than smoking tobacco, according to a new study from the University of Chicago.

This could be the first PSPS event of the year, and the first one in two years.

PG&E may be forced to preemptively cut off power to a total of 8,000 customers starting 3 a.m. Wednesday primarily east of the Mendocino National Forest through Redding and north of Lake Oroville. Very few shutoffs are in the Bay Area.

Current air quality around the three college campuses is moderate and still remains healthy. However, some isolated geographical locations are approaching unhealthy levels. The San Mateo County Community College District will monitor and notify the campus communities if the air quality index exceeds 100.

Updated 10:00 am PDT, August 30

Timely Warning Crime Alert – SMCCCD Department of Public Safety

May 17, 2023

The Public Safety Department is sharing this advisory of a suspect at large.  While there is no direct reportable threat to our campus community, if anyone has any information, sightings or is contacted by the suspect, you should immediately contact 911 and report it.

Cañada College Power Outage & Class Cancelation May 15, 2023.

Cañada College is Closed for the Remainder of Monday, May 15, 2023 (today) for In-person Classes and Campus Operations

5/15/23 at 5 p.m.

The Cañada campus is closed for the remainder of Monday, May 15, 2023 (today) for in-person classes and business operations due to power outage. The campus community should evacuate campus immediately in a calm and safe manner. 

Essential employees (Facilities, Public Safety, ITS) are to report to work. Employees and students, work remotely/online during regularly scheduled hours, if possible.

We will reevaluate in-person courses and business operations that take place on campus tomorrow, Tuesday, May 16, 2023 and will deliver any further closure notices by 9 p.m. tonight, Monday, May 15, 2023.

Inclement Weather Update #8: January 10, 2023

Rain and high winds to continue until the afternoon, with potential thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail and heavy rain. 

January 10, 2023 Day Forecast

High near 54. Breezy, with a southwest wind 21 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

January 10, 2023 Night Forecast: 

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then rain likely after 10pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. West southwest wind 10 to 14 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

If you are commuting, please:

  • Drive with caution 
  • Leave early to avoid traffic 
  • Carry roadside emergency kit Avoid puddles, check breaks after traversing standing water 
  • Drive slowly on campus 
  • Watch out for standing water, downed trees, high winds, and park vehicles distant from possibly falling trees 
  • Report any damages on campus to facilities 

Hazardous Weather Conditions Report: San Francisco Bay Area, CA 

Inclement Weather Update #7: Flood and High Wind Warnings issued to last from January 9th-10th, 2023.

Multiple rounds of widespread rainfall expected through the next several days with a moderate strength system Saturday (Jan. 7th) through Sunday (Jan. 8th) morning, and a stronger atmospheric river event beginning Sunday (Jan. 8) evening into Tuesday (Jan. 10). Widespread flooding impacts are expected as soils are already saturated, and many waterways are running high from the recent atmospheric river events. 

  • Drive with caution
  • Leave early to avoid traffic
  • Carry roadside emergency kit Avoid puddles, check breaks after traversing standing water
  • Drive slowly on campus
  • Watch out for standing water, downed trees, high winds, and park vehicles distant from possibly falling trees
  • Report any damages on campus to facilities 

Hazardous Weather Conditions Report: San Francisco Bay Area, CA 

NWS Forecast Office San Francisco, CA
abc7 News AccuWeather Forecast

For more information, please visit: emergency.smccd.info / abc7news.com / weather.gov

Inclement Weather Update #6:

A deadly storm that lashed coastal California with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain is far from over.Thursday’s storm is ranking a strong level 3 on the exclusive ABC7 Storm Impact Scale. This is compared to the level 5 storm on Wednesday, the first level 5 in the history of the scale. San Mateo County remains under a flood warning and high winds are expected to continue. Weather forecasts expects another line of downpours between 6am – 10am today (January 5th). Please visit: emergency.smccd.info or abc7news.com for more updated weather information.

CAMPUS DAMAGE REPORTS: 

The campuses fared well last night and damage is negligible.  Majority of the work today is general post storm clean up—debris, mud, tree branch removals.  All three campuses remained energized—no power failures.

  • Cañada College:
    • Ravine at the West entrance: significant erosion—No impact to college or neighbors
    • Mud slides near tennis courts—Mitigated by Facilities and held through the night
    • B1 no additional damage or water leaks in the building
  • College of San Mateo: 
    • Loop road at the water tank: storm drain overburdened with possible blockage—Road closed while Facilities mitigates
    • Tennis court lot storm drain: backed up; parking lot D is a lake—Facilities pumping it out
    • B33 Child Development Center, East side perimeter: tree has uprooted and leaning on another tree (Hazardous)—Facilities will contact a to remove this
    • B36 Planetarium: minor water intrusion—Mitigated by Facilities
  • Skyline College: 
    • Minor water intrusion buildings 1, 3, 8, and 19—mitigated by Facilities

More updates to follow throughout the day.

CSM Lot D Flooding
CSM Perimeter Road Flooding
CSM B33 Tree
Cañada Ravine
Cañada Mud Slides

Inclement Weather Update #5: SMCCCD will Remain CLOSED, January 5th.

San Mateo County Community College District’s campuses and facilities will remain closed through Thursday, January 5, 2023 due to intense storm front.  

Essential service employees (facilities, public safety, ITS, and emergency management) are still required to work onsite in order to maintain essential operations. All other employees scheduled to work onsite tomorrow, Thursday, January 5, will continue to work remote. All meetings and appointments should be converted to virtual meetings if possible and appropriate. If you have questions about your work assignment, please contact your supervisor. 

This closure includes the following locations and services: 

  • Cañada College 
  • College of San Mateo 
  • Skyline College 
  • SMCCCD District Office 
  • Sparkpoint Food Pantries at all campuses 
  • CSM Athletic Center and its pools  
  • Cañada Athletic Center and its pools 
  • All Athletic Events  
  • All community recreational use such as walking or biking  

The District will announce any further closures by 6:00 pm each day about the following work day’s closures via the following: 

We encourage all to follow county guidelines by staying off the road and follow these weather safety tips: 

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/index.html

Inclement Weather Update #3: SMCCD will be Closed, January 4th, due to Approaching Storm Front

January 3, 2023

Wednesday’s incoming strong atmospheric river is the first Level 5 in the history of the ABC7 Storm Impact Scale. The National Weather Service (NWS) is saying this system will cause widespread flooding and damage. The District is implementing preventative safety measures to keep employees off the roadways and minimize impacts on county emergency services.

Access to the San Mateo County Community College District’s physical locations will close at 12:00 am midnight, except for essential employees required to maintain essential operations. This closure will be reevaluated at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, January 4th and a decision on future closures will be communicated by 6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 4th.

This closure includes the following locations and services:

  • Cañada College
  • College of San Mateo
  • Skyline College
  • SMCCCD District Office 
  • Second Harvest Food Distribution at Skyline College
  • Sparkpoint Food Pantries at all campuses
  • CSM Athletic Center and its pools 
  • Cañada Athletic Center and its pools
  • All Athletic Events
  • All community recreational use such as walking or biking 

Essential service employees (including facilities, public safety, ITS, and emergency management) will report to work as scheduled. For all other employees scheduled to work on campus tomorrow, Wednesday, January 4th will be a remote work day. All meetings and appointments should be converted to virtual meetings if possible and appropriate. If you have questions about your work assignment, please contact your supervisor. 

The District will announce any further closures by 6:00 pm each day about the following day’s closures via the following: 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Inclement Weather Update #2: Level 5 Storm Impact Scale

Wednesday’s incoming strong atmospheric river is the first Level 5 in the history of the ABC7 Storm Impact Scale. The NWS is saying this system will cause widespread flooding and damage. Expect two rounds of the Level 5 storm beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, January 4. Please see details below:

https://abc7news.com/bay-area-storm-heavy-rain-atmospheric-river-level-5/12645385/
https://abc7news.com/bay-area-storm-heavy-rain-atmospheric-river-level-5/12645385/

First Round: Warm Front

  • Expected Arrival Time: Between 5am – 10am
  • Expected Damages: Areas of moderate/heavy rain expected

Second Round: Cold Front

  • Expected Arrival Time: Between 2pm – 9pm
  • Expected Damages: Highest flood threat & damaging wind gusts of 50mph – 60mph+

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Instructions: You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to act should flooding develop.