Benicia and the rest of California may be experiencing a severe drought, but officials at Pacific Gas and Electric Company are reminding residents that even this winter’s occasional storms — like the one starts Friday — can pack a wallop if residents aren’t prepared.

According to PG&E meteorologists, this weekend’s rainfall could exceed 8 inches in Northern California’s higher elevations, and 4 inches across the San Francisco Bay Area. At any time, residents could see both small stream and urban flooding. Snow may fall above 7,000 feet.

And the storms aren’t done yet: Another front may bring rains and other active weather through Monday.

Benicia Public Works crews, who had to handle a large number of calls during the December rains, provide sand and bags at both Corporation Yard, 2400 East Second St., and the East E Street parking lot near the Benicia Yacht Club. Residents are asked to bring shovels and plan to fill and load the bags themselves.

While Public Works employees have been working on storm drains, the department has issued a request that residents help keep streets and gutters free of leaves and other debris.

Should water begin to pool at a storm drain, the department requests that residents first determine it is safe, then use a rake to remove the debris blocking the drain so the water will flow.

After a storm, residents should avoid any flooded areas, officials said.

The department can be called at 707-746-4296 during business hours and 707-745-3412 after 4:30 p.m., and residents can listen for emergency alerts at radio frequency 1610 AM.

PG&E spokesperson Brittany McKannay said her company has plenty of tips to help residents handle storm-related outages.

At the same time, she recommended residents stay safe by treating any low-hanging or downed power lines as if they are energized and “live,” saying those lines are “extremely dangerous.” The same warning extends to trees, pools of water and other objects that can become energized and dangerous if they come into contact with power lines, McKannay said.

“If you see damaged power lines or electrical equipment, call 9-1-1 immediately and then notify PG&E at 800-743-5002,” she said.

Among her other tips:

• Residents should secure outdoor furniture, lightweight yard structures and decorative lawn items, because they can be blown by high winds and damage not only power lines, but homes as well;

• Should residents or business operators experience a power outage, they should use battery-operated flashlights instead of candles, because of the risk of fire;

• Those who must use candles should keep them away from drapes, lampshades, home decor items and small children. “Do not leave candles unattended,” McKannaey said;

• Anyone using a generator needs to make sure it is properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. “Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to crews working on power lines,” McKannay said;

• During an outage, residents should unplug or turn off all their electrical appliances so they can avoid overloading circuits once power is restored. This also prevents fire. “Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns,” McKannay said. “Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal”;

• Freezing plastic containers filled with water will make blocks of ice that can be placed in refrigerators and freezers during an outage, and that will prevent food spoilage. “Blue Ice from your picnic cooler also works well in the freezer,” McKannay said.

Jason Regan, PG&E director of emergency management, said the utility mobilizes a variety of crews to respond to storm damage.

He said the utility conducts preparedness and response training and drills with local first responders, and is using the latest technology — from storm outage models, automated self-healing equipment and data from its network of SmartMeters — to restore power quickly.

The utility also trims vegetation throughout the year to reduce contact with power lines, he said.

“It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Regan said. “We’re preparing accordingly to keep the lights on or restore power as quickly as possible.”