BAY AREA • HOUSEHOLD FIELD GUIDE

Storm ready,
San José.

Creeks, rivers & neighborhood drainage. Local steps and official sources for the place you call home.

Sources reviewed October 24, 2026 · Preparation guide

Making a decision today?

Check current forecasts, warnings and local instructions. This guide does not display live alerts or verify road access, shelters or supply stock.

NWS Bay Area forecasts & alerts

01 / KNOW YOUR EXPOSURE

Creeks, rivers & neighborhood drainage

Prepare for creek and river overflow as well as water collecting at blocked drains. Northern Bay-adjacent properties have different exposures from inland homes; check an address rather than assigning an entire neighborhood a risk rating.

Read the map correctly

Use city flood-zone guidance for property research. Valley Water gauges show observed creek conditions, not insurance designations.

Official local map guidance FEMA effective flood-map address lookup Valley Water gauge observations

Maps cannot rule out flooding outside a mapped zone. No individual parcel has been assessed for this guide.

02 / BEFORE THE RAIN

Your household checklist

Check items for this visit, then use your browser’s print command for a paper copy.

Save the Valley Water monitoring map and identify the creek relevant to your address.
Plan how everyone, including pets and people needing assistance, will leave if instructed.
Clear private drainage safely before rain and report blocked street drains.
Prepare drinking water, food, medications, lights, charged devices and important documents.
Agree on a meeting place and help for children, older adults, pets and access needs.
Safely clear private gutters and drains before storms. Stay out of channels; report public blockages.

San José official preparation guidance

03 / PROTECT LOW ENTRANCES

Sandbags: check before you go

Valley Water publishes a weather-dependent November 1–April 15 regular season. Do not assume October availability. Sites include Senter Road, Winfield and Alviso; check the current site list and webcams. Supplies may be limited or self-fill.

Confirm current activation, eligibility, stock and hours before travel. Sandbags can help redirect shallow runoff; they do not make a building floodproof or replace evacuation.

Official sandbag program & locations

04 / STAY CONNECTED

Alerts & local reporting

City storm reports: 311 or 408-794-1900.

Official city storm contactsCall 911 for immediate danger to life.

When a storm arrives

Follow official evacuation instructions. Stay out of floodwater, never drive around barricades, and avoid downed wires. Do not enter unsafe drainage channels or attempt storm-time roof or gutter work. Check actual closures before traveling.

A local question

Who handles a clogged drain versus a creek problem?

Use city storm reporting for street drainage. Consult Valley Water for creek monitoring and flood-protection resources; immediate danger requires 911.