A major storm system slammed into the northwest United States earlier this week, killing at least two people and knocking out power to thousands.

The storm has reached Northern California and the Central Coast is now expected to see remnants of the system this weekend.

KSBY News spoke with an official from the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services about how they are preparing for this storm.

Scott Miller, emergency services coordinator for the county’s Office of Emergency Services, says the county’s public works department prepared for winter storms before the atmospheric river crossed the northern parts of the state.

“Our public works department has been cleaning out storm drains and doing a lot of sediment removal and vegetation management work in some streams,” Milner said. “They’ve also done a lot of work, like the Arroyo Grand Creek dike, and done a lot of repair work over the last couple of years. And they also laid concrete walls in the center in portions to further strengthen it.

As the rainy season slowly approaches on the Central Coast, Milner is advising the community to clean their storm drains before winter.

“…This next winter we may get some more significant storms,” he said. “So as far as being prepared, clean your gutters, clean your storm drains, make sure any sump pumps or water pumps are functional.”

KSBY Chief Meteorologist Dave Hovde said in his forecastsome areas could see more than an inch.

Other San Luis Obispo County residents told KSBY News how they are preparing for heavy rains.

“In order to avoid going out during heavy rain or bad road conditions, I like to do my shopping or other household items ahead of time,” said Gladys Gonzalez, a San Luis Obispo resident.

“I’m just making sure my chairs and umbrellas and chairs are put away and anything that might blow away,” said Susan Conners, an Arroyo Grande resident. “I just look at the weather report and look at how I organized the day based on that.”

Milner says READYSLO.org has a list of locations available as a resource for locating sandbags throughout the county.

For more information on emergency preparedness, Click here.