The Indian summer conditions Valley residents have been enjoying — or lamenting — will finally come to an end this week.

With multiple days of precipitation in the region’s weather forecast this week, Valley residents are urged to prepare for significant rainfall and high winds beginning Wednesday and lasting throughout the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, a major shift in weather patterns will bring wet and windy weather to Northern California with high rainfall rates, first Wednesday and again on Friday with winds ranging up to 20 miles per hour.

As part of winter weather preparations, residents are encouraged to replenish or assemble an emergency supply kit, and review or develop a family emergency plan.

“Trees with heavy branches near power lines should be trimmed, especially for customers who receive power from overhead service wires,” said TID spokesman Herb Smart.  “Stay far away from downed power lines and never touch them. If a person locates a downed power line or downed power pole, they should immediately call 911 or TID’s 24-hour service line.”

While TID performs many tasks throughout the year to further the safety and reliability of its electrical system, rain and wind storms always have the potential to cause weather-related outages during fall and winter storms.

According to Holly Osborne, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, residents are also advised to stow items which may blow away during a strong storm, like chairs, tables, and umbrellas. Putting together a storm preparedness kit, with flashlights, batteries, a battery-operated radio, first-aid kit, bottled water, and non-perishable foods is suggested.

During the inclement weather, residents should listen to the radio or watch television to obtain information about the latest forecast and instructions from local officials, use telephones only for emergency calls, avoid driving if possible and cooperate with emergency officials.

The City of Turlock is also doing its part in preparation of the storm. 

“We’ve been making sandbags for about a week, preparing for the winter weather,” said City of Turlock Municipal Services Supervisor Ray Garcia. “We have 1,000 to 1,500 sandbags on standby at the (city) yard.”

Up to 10 sandbags are available for citizens of Turlock to pick up at 901 S. Walnut Rd., in the parking lot of the wastewater treatment plant.

Because of the expected storm, sandbags will be available 24 hours a day. If citizens come to pick up sandbags and they are all gone, city workers can be reached by calling 668-5590 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays or 668-1200 on weekends and afterhours. The city will deliver sandbags to disabled residents who call and request them.

There is no charge for sandbags, but disposal is the responsibility of the citizen.