BAY AREA • HOUSEHOLD FIELD GUIDE

Storm ready,
Santa Rosa.

Creek watershed & changing flood maps. 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

Creek watershed & changing flood maps

Understand Santa Rosa Creek watershed exposure and local drainage. Erosion and post-fire runoff require extra attention where relevant to a particular property; they are not a citywide burn-scar designation.

Read the map correctly

The new Santa Rosa Creek watershed maps are PRELIMINARY, not effective. Check the official project status and FEMA effective maps for insurance questions. A proposed boundary is not an active evacuation zone.

Official local map guidance FEMA effective flood-map address lookup

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.

Compare preliminary flood information with the current effective map.
If relevant to your property, review erosion control before rain and seek qualified advice.
Save stream-maintenance reporting contacts and keep phones charged for alerts.
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.

Santa Rosa official preparation guidance

03 / PROTECT LOW ENTRANCES

Sandbags: check before you go

City materials are for Santa Rosa residents during significant rain events only at 55 Stony Point Road, with city-address ID. Restocking occurs during normal weekday business hours, not after hours, weekends or holidays. Check activation and supplies before traveling.

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

Stream issues: 707-543-3800; after hours 707-543-3805. Immediate danger: 911.

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

Does the preliminary map already change the effective flood zone?

No. Preliminary maps are proposed information. Ask FEMA or city floodplain staff about the current effective record and project status.