Along a busy stretch of Richards Boulevard in Sacramento, SMUD tree crews are hard at work. Final preparations are underway as a holiday storm is expected to blow into the area.A High Wind Warning is now in effect through 4 p.m. on Thursday for the Valley and lower Foothills. Meteorologist Heather Waldman says two rounds of potentially damaging wind gusts are expected during that time. The first will blow through overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Peak gusts of 45 to 55 mph are possible.A second, longer-lasting round of wind will pick up Wednesday evening and last through Thursday morning. This second blast of wind could be stronger than the first, with some areas seeing wind gusts of 60 mph.Either round of high winds could cause tree damage and power outages.”We are hoping for the best, but you never know, especially how these winds come in,” said SMUD spokesperson Gamaliel Ortiz.SMUD crews work year-round, cutting back limbs from lines for this very reason.”So that when we do have a storm that might be coming in the next couple of days, there is less possibility for a storm-related outage,” Ortiz added. The recent rain, combined with the expected winds, makes trees extra vulnerable.”As the ground gets saturated, it is going to be a little bit wetter, a bit more movable for the roots and the trunk, so when those winds come in, we are concerned that branches and other debris will fly into the infrastructure,” Ortiz said.For now, the tree crews will give way to the line crews. Dozens and dozens of members on stand by should things go dark.”SMUD is prepared to respond to any storm-related outages,” Ortiz said. “We also have the capacity to increase our crews in case we need them.”And while most people are decking the halls, SMUD says it will be all hands on deck.”If there are outages, then we start deploying folks and getting ready,” Ortiz added. “We will be staging folks as needed. We are going to boost the resources and the staff in order to respond.”SMUD advises reporting the outage through the SMUD app, at smud.org/outages, or by calling 1- 888-456-SMUD (7683).REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAPClick here to see our interactive traffic map.TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADARClick here to see our interactive radar.DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATESTHere is where you can download our app.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.Meteorologist Ophelia Young on Facebook and X.Watch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.

Along a busy stretch of Richards Boulevard in Sacramento, SMUD tree crews are hard at work. Final preparations are underway as a holiday storm is expected to blow into the area.

A High Wind Warning is now in effect through 4 p.m. on Thursday for the Valley and lower Foothills.

Meteorologist Heather Waldman says two rounds of potentially damaging wind gusts are expected during that time. The first will blow through overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Peak gusts of 45 to 55 mph are possible.

A second, longer-lasting round of wind will pick up Wednesday evening and last through Thursday morning. This second blast of wind could be stronger than the first, with some areas seeing wind gusts of 60 mph.

Either round of high winds could cause tree damage and power outages.

“We are hoping for the best, but you never know, especially how these winds come in,” said SMUD spokesperson Gamaliel Ortiz.

SMUD crews work year-round, cutting back limbs from lines for this very reason.

“So that when we do have a storm that might be coming in the next couple of days, there is less possibility for a storm-related outage,” Ortiz added.

The recent rain, combined with the expected winds, makes trees extra vulnerable.

“As the ground gets saturated, it is going to be a little bit wetter, a bit more movable for the roots and the trunk, so when those winds come in, we are concerned that branches and other debris will fly into the infrastructure,” Ortiz said.

For now, the tree crews will give way to the line crews. Dozens and dozens of members on stand by should things go dark.

“SMUD is prepared to respond to any storm-related outages,” Ortiz said. “We also have the capacity to increase our crews in case we need them.”

And while most people are decking the halls, SMUD says it will be all hands on deck.

“If there are outages, then we start deploying folks and getting ready,” Ortiz added. “We will be staging folks as needed. We are going to boost the resources and the staff in order to respond.”

SMUD advises reporting the outage through the SMUD app, at smud.org/outages, or by calling 1- 888-456-SMUD (7683).

REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAP
Click here to see our interactive traffic map.
TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADAR
Click here to see our interactive radar.
DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATEST
Here is where you can download our app.

Follow our KCRA weather team on social media

Meteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.Meteorologist Ophelia Young on Facebook and X.

Watch our forecasts on TV or online
Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.
We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.