Fire department issues storm alert

<p>The Petaluma Fire Department has issued an alert about the heavy rainfall expected in the coming days.</p><p>The department plans to update the city's website twice a day while the storms persist — once in the early morning and again around 4 p.m. — with information obtained through the national weather service.</p><p>The city's flood hotline will not be used unless Petaluma's Emergency Operations Center is opened. Should that happen, the hotline will then be activated and updates will be available regularly. For the time being, Fire Chief Larry Anderson is recommending that citizens stay informed through the city's website, www.cityofpetaluma.net, along with www.weather.gov and www.weather.com.</p><p>Sacks and sand for sandbags have been placed at the north end of Hopper Street, just past Shamrock Materials, Inc. Residents and businesses are encouraged to help themselves as needed.</p>