Marin County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Marin County Public Health monitor weather conditions provided by the National Weather Service (NWS). The Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES) at 3240 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael has been activated:
- Monday, March 27, 2023 opening at 5 pm and closing at 6:30 am Tuesday, March 28, 2023
- Tuesday, March 28 2023 opening at 5 pm and closing at 6:30 am Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Visit Marin's Public Emergency Portal to stay up-to-date: https://emergency.marincounty.org/
Marin Center for Independent Living (MCIL) offers free emergency planning and resources for Marin residents living with disabilities. Visit their Powered & Prepared site to learn more.
The COVID-19 State of Emergency order remains active in California. For more information about the County's pandemic response, visit https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/.
On August 1, 2022, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to support the state's response to monkeypox. For more information about the County's response to monkeypox, visit https://www.marinhhs.org/monkeypox.
Page last reviewed: March 25, 2023
Public Health Emergencies
Community Notice
Marin Health and Human Services (HHS) strongly recommends signing up for AlertMarin and Nixle to make sure you receive phone calls and/or texts with critical information in the event of an immediate threat to life or property.
Learn more about preparing for emergencies and disasters at https://readymarin.org/
For Emergency Assistance Dial 911
Marin Sheriff Emergency Information
Marin County Emergency Preparedness Resources
Current Service Model
Marin County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) is the lead agency monitoring life-threatening events, including extreme temperatures. OES, the Public Health Officer, and the Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC) monitor weather indicators using data from the National Weather Service and determine if activation criteria is met.
A decision on whether or not to activate the shelter will be made by 12:00 p.m. for activation the following day. In addition to sending an email to an extensive stakeholder list, we will post activation plans to this website and will also provide a recorded message at: 415-473-6100.
Referrals for a placement at the severe weather emergency shelter will be made by Marin County homeless service provider partners:
- Homeward Bound
- Downtown Streets Team
- Ritter Center
- St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin
- Community Action Marin: CARE Teams
- Law enforcement and other first responders should coordinate with the above referral partners regarding bed availability daily.
Transportation will be supported through bus vouchers and outreach staff.
This is a low-barrier shelter, meaning that anyone will be welcome to stay as long as they agree to be respectful of other shelter residents and staff and follow a behavioral code of conduct (e.g. one person per room, no illegal activity, etc.).
While many factors affect a person’s ability to remain stably housed—employment, physical health, substance use—these factors are all more effectively addressed when a person has a home. Learn more about Housing First in Marin County at https://housingfirst.marinhhs.org/housing-first.
SWES Activation Criteria (Updated November 19, 2021)
- New. Forecasted rainfall for at least 72 hours with greater than 1" rain per day (average), or
- New. Flash flood watch / warning (partial activation | targeted outreach), or
- Forecast temperatures to drop below an average nighttime low* of 38 degrees, and conditions are projected for a minimum of 3 days, or
- Forecast temperatures to drop below an average nighttime low* of 45 degrees for two consecutive days with hazardous conditions (e.g. greater than 1” rain, flash flood watch/warning, wind chills or extreme temperature fluctuations), or
- Forecast temperatures to drop below an average nighttime low* of 40 degrees with hazardous conditions (e.g. greater than 1” rain, flash flood watch/warning, wind chills or extreme temperature fluctuations)
- Hazardous air quality (AQI > 300)
*Average nighttime low determined by averaging the hourly temperatures between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Page last reviewed: December 19, 2022
