The South Bay Community Center is the emergency operations center for Los Osos
With the potential of a powerful el Nino season, community emergency centers are preparing for storm readiness. The South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave, in Los Osos is designated as the area’s evacuation center and primary Shelter Welfare site by the County, but there is no provision for backup power. The Center and the Los Osos Community Services District are working on installing a backup energy system to build a reliable emergency power hub at the location, and funds are needed.
“As for the SBCC board, we recognize the need for an emergency relocation center in Los Osos,” Gary Katayama, SBCC board president told Estro Bay News. “After the flood incident in January 2023, there was no place to serve as an emergency center that had power. We don’t want to repeat this!”
The SBCC was not available during the Vista de Oro incident in January 2023 because of a community-wide power outage. That incident occurred when an atmospheric river pounded the area with rain causing a levee on a storm retention pond to failed and sent a torrent of sludge downhill into some 20 homes on Vista Court, a cul-de-sac in the Vista De Oro subdivision. It filled the homes with up to three feet of debris, displaced families, pushed cars out of garages, and carried yard items as far as a half mile away.
The Los Osos Emergency Operations Plan (LOEOP) was developed based on that experience and the need to have an organized structure to address future emergencies. The SBCC is the logical place, but “the major concern with using the center in this capacity is the lack of backup electric generation,” said a LOCSD staff report from August of 2025.
Richard Margetson of People Helping People, Ron Munds, former director of the LOCSD, and the Emergency Services committee of the LOCSD, began the process of making the SBCC a fully powered operation emergency center a year ago. Viva Energy has designed and contracted for the construction of a solar/battery backup power solution.
The Emergency Operations Center will be run by SLO county Office of Emergency Services in coordination with Cal Fire and the LOCSD, details are being worked out by the Emergency Services Advisory Committee. This will allow the center to be fully utilized in case of emergency, in coordination with the LOCSD and Cal Fire.
The project cost is $55,650 and includes 30 x SEG Solar 440 Watt Panels, one 13.5 KWh Telsa Powerwall 3, a battery and solar energy system; and two Tesla Powerwall 3 (Expansion Pack). The LOCSD has committed $35,000 towards the project in already-budgeted funds, along with $2,500 from PG&E and $2,000 from a prior fundraiser. SBCC is hoping to raise $15,000.
“We are working with SLO County Community Emergency Response Team to coordinate emergency supplies; the center has a full commercial kitchen with food storage and refrigeration,” Katayama said. “With a super El Nino event on the horizon, we in Los Osos need this more than ever. Help us help you.”
Support will also come from Viva and the Los Osos Community Advisory Council. The estimated completion time is in late November.
Folks can help by donating at southbaycommunitycenter.com/donate. Additionally, Ralph’s shoppers can also support the center for free by designating the SBCC as the recipient of your community donation. There is no cost, instructions are at the same link.
The SBCC is a non-profit, public benefit entity. A volunteer Board of Directors oversees the operation of the center. The funds to operate it come entirely from rentals, fundraisers, and private donations. Beyond serving as an emergency center, the solar power would allow the Center to sustain its local programming in times of power outages throughout the year such as the Meals that Connect senior nutrition program, the Los Osos Cares community dinners, and the local food bank.
Ultimately, the SBCC will serve as the emergency center in the event of an earthquake, hazardous materials, multi-casualty, wildfire, radiological accident from Diablo Canyon and flooding.
Flooding is a concern for Los Osos said an August 2025 report to the County by Ron Munds, then director of the LOCSD. “Flooding and road inundation to both the north and east of the District will occasionally close South Bay Blvd. near Turri Road. Very rarely, Los Osos Valley Road will flood in the area of Foothill Blvd near the San Luis Obispo District limits. Access to the District is severely comprised when either one of these routes is compromised. When both occur at simultaneously access is critically compromised.”
As far as shelter is concerned the reports states, “A limited number of displaced or homeless citizens can be anticipated after a heavy damage storm/flood. Most displaced persons will probably be self-sufficient in nature (e.g., tenting in front yard, temporarily living with relatives or neighbors, etc.) An estimated 20% of the displaced/homeless will require sheltering as provided by the American Red Cross or other relief agencies. Long term ‘tent’ or ‘mobile home’ sites for the displaced and homeless are not a normal consideration in these types of events. Activation of these resources will be coordinated by the County EOC.”
The Center can house 25 people for up to three days.
Most local emergencies are handled by the appropriate first responder agencies. Occasionally, a local emergency may involve more than one agency to mitigate the event. When a major emergency occurs the County EOC will be activated as multiple jurisdictions and agencies will typically be involved.
Volunteer organizations also play an important role.
“The procuring, stockpiling and distribution of essential supplies for the general public and emergency workers (food, water, fuel, shelters, etc.) may be necessary after a major event,” the report says. “It is anticipated that large numbers of the public within the area will offer volunteer assistance and donations of food, clothing, shelters, etc.”
Volunteer organizations involved with the Center include Los Osos Care, Rotary, Kiwanis, People Helping People and the Center itself.21
