BAY AREA • HOUSEHOLD FIELD GUIDE
A little preparation.
A more resilient Bay.
El Niño & winter storm preparation, city by city. Start with your address, your drainage and the people who count on you.
Sources reviewed · Preparation guide
Check current forecasts, warnings and local instructions. This guide does not display live alerts or verify road access, shelters or supply stock.
START WHERE YOU LIVE
Eight cities. Different water stories.
This first collection covers eight Bay Area cities, not the entire region. Choose your city for its alert system, map guidance and sandbag rules.
San José
Creeks, rivers & neighborhood drainage
Prepare your household →02 / LOCAL GUIDESan Francisco
Street flooding, basements & sewer backups
Prepare your household →03 / LOCAL GUIDEOakland
Urban drainage & hillslope awareness
Prepare your household →04 / LOCAL GUIDESan Mateo
Bay tides, creeks & property drainage
Prepare your household →05 / LOCAL GUIDEPalo Alto
San Francisquito Creek & multiple watersheds
Prepare your household →06 / LOCAL GUIDEFremont
Fast-rising creeks & flooded roads
Prepare your household →07 / LOCAL GUIDESanta Rosa
Creek watershed & changing flood maps
Prepare your household →08 / LOCAL GUIDENapa
Napa River & independent creek flooding
Prepare your household →Start with an address, not a citywide label
Creek overflow, stormwater drainage, high tides and slope movement are different hazards. A flood-insurance map is not a live warning, and being outside its high-risk zone does not guarantee safety. Review household drainage, prepare supplies and sign up for the correct local alerts.
Look up effective FEMA flood mapsHow ENSO influences Northern California