Wind Alert: Batteries, Flashlights Handy?

This afternoon as the winds started blowing leaves in my face, I got a new LED flashlight (brighter light, lower power consumption).

I'm not hoping for darkness or damage, but the National Weather Service is forecasting winds of 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph through Friday.

A wind storm at the beginning of November toppled some trees in town (like the one above) and .

PG&E is bracing for the possibility of power line damage. The utility says anyone who sees a downed power line should call 911 first and then report the location to PG&E at 1-800-PGE—5000 (1-800-743-5000).

(Patch contributor Raul Alvarez captured a brief, sizzling not long ago.)

The same number (1-800-743-5000) can be used to report power outages. (It was busy when I dialed it Wednesday afternoon. Tell you something?)

So keep a flashlight handy. Get extra batteries if you have time. If you lose power, keep the fridge shut to keep it cooler, longer.

And if you see a downed tree, and you have the means, take a digital picture and upload it to this story. Or email it to tom.abate@patch.com. Either way, please include a location.

(Thanks to Mike Katz-Lacabe who contributed a couple of pictures from the last windstorm, which knocked down quite a few trees in San Leandro.)