Local Officials, SDG&E Urge Emergency Preparedness During El Nino Season

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, San Diego city and county officials, along with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), shared emergency preparedness plans and outreach efforts aimed at ensuring the needs of the county's most vulnerable residents are met before the next round of intense El Niño storms. Meteorologists are predicting that there could be another 60 days of rain activity leading to flooding, among other hazards.

"Being prepared for storms of this magnitude is critical," said Toni Atkins, California Assembly Speaker. "San Diego officials and businesses like SDG&E have set a fine example by collaborating on preparedness, response and recovery plans that will help keep the region safe."

SDG&E purchased 10,000 "SAFELY OUT KITS" from Citizen Voice to distribute to vulnerable members of the community such as the elderly and those with mobility issues. The kits are complete with materials that can be used if someone is homebound during an emergency. Distribution of the kits has already begun through a partnership with agencies like Elder Help, Meals-on-Wheels and American Medical Response.

"The cooperation among our region's first responders during last week's storms helped minimize property damage and kept San Diegans safe. I've directed City staff to continue to take aggressive action to prepare our community for more severe weather," said Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. "El Niño is expected to bring more storms, so now is the time to prepare our families, homes and businesses before the next rains come. I'd like to thank SDG&E for partnering with us to help our most vulnerable residents make sure they can weather the storms."

SDG&E also announced a donation of $70,000 to the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation for the purchase of three emergency generators to be used at its San Diego County disaster shelters.

"Adding these generators will help ensure the continuation of life-saving services when our most vulnerable residents, such as those needing oxygen, find themselves evacuated to an emergency shelter," said Chairman Roberts. "I want to thank SDG&E for again stepping up to help fill a public safety need."

"With a shared vision of promoting public safety and helping those community members who need it the most, these donations were a natural fit for us at SDG&E," said Caroline Winn, chief energy delivery officer for SDG&E. "We believe that providing essential materials like these kits is another way to help first responders identity who needs help in an emergency. It's an honor to continue to support the Regional Fire Foundation and Citizen Voice in its mission to foster a safer city."

To learn more about what SDG&E's doing to prepare for El Niño, click here.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and 868,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E's Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.

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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)

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