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Santa Clara Valley Water recently declared El Niño to be a local emergency, allowing the agency to quickly make preparations for the potentially historic winter storm season with fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
Meteorologists have been ringing alarm bells over this year’s strong-to-very strong El Niño conditions. Cities and local governments have been mobilizing to prepare for high winds, heavy rain and large storm surges along the coast.
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“This emergency authority allows Valley Water to rapidly procure essential equipment, services, and materials needed to safeguard life, property, and critical public services,” a Valley Water press release reads.
Interim CEO Melanie Richardson made the declaration Oct. 7, and the agency’s board of directors is expected to reaffirm the emergency status at each of its meetings. The agency will begin looking for specialized support services to prepare waterway infrastructure and flood fighting supplies, the press release said.
The winter storms will increase the risk of floods, landslides, coastal erosion and power outages. Officials are urging residents to research if they’re in a flood zone or potentially hazardous area, and to plan accordingly. Santa Clara County residents can sign up for emergency notifications at AlertSCC.
It’s nearly impossible to predict the severity and timing of the storms, so weather experts have been pressing local leaders to make broad preparations immediately. Many cities in Santa Clara County have published local emergency preparedness information for residents, including Palo Alto and Mountain View. Valley Water is Santa Clara County’s flood protection authority and has preparedness resources and tools at valleywater.org/floodready.
Heavy rains pelted the Bay Area over New Years in 2022-23, flooding homes and roads, and cutting power to certain neighborhoods. In Palo Alto, the San Francisquito Creek spilled over its banks, and in Mountain View, downed power lines and clogged storm drains forced pooling water onto El Camino Real.
