Ahead of the rainy season, City of San Diego emergency officials are urging San Diegans to take steps now to prepare for a potentially very strong El Niño climate pattern that could bring heavy rain and flooding this winter. Residents and property owners are encouraged to know their flood risk, create an emergency plan and sign up for emergency alerts to help protect themselves and their families.
In collaboration with regional partners and the National Weather Service, the City’s Office of Emergency Services has launched an educational campaign urging San Diegans to prepare. A new El Niño in San Diego webpage provides resources to help residents understand their flood risk, prepare for extreme weather, and to sign up for emergency alerts.
The Office of Emergency Services has also convened an El Niño working group with representatives from all City departments and public safety agencies to coordinate preparedness, response operations and public information ahead of the rainy season.
In San Diego, 15,000 acres and more than 6,900 structures are located in FEMA-designated flood hazard areas. Flooding can occur outside designated flood zones, so property owners and renters are encouraged to consider flood insurance. Through the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, thousands of eligible local property owners and renters receive access to a 15% discount on flood insurance premiums.
Over the next month, information will be mailed to more than 7,000 properties in high-risk flood areas with guidance on protecting property, understanding flood risk and purchasing flood insurance.
In flood-prone areas across San Diego, the City’s Stormwater Department is working to clean and maintain stormwater infrastructure, including channels and storm drains. Over the past fiscal year, crews maintained more than 11 miles of stormwater channels, prioritizing areas impacted by the 2024 floods and other locations known to experience flooding during heavy rains. Additionally, the City plans to perform maintenance on more than 20 miles of channels in fiscal year 2027, which began in July.
In some areas, stormwater channels are privately owned. The Stormwater Department will notify approximately 180 property owners of their responsibilities for cleaning and maintaining privately-owned stormwater channels.
Even with this preparation, intense rainfall over a short period can overwhelm stormwater systems and cause flooding. Residents should remain alert during storms and never attempt to drive or walk through flooded areas.
Disasters can happen at any time and it is crucial to be ready before an emergency occurs. Emergency officials encourage San Diegans to take these steps now:
- Create an emergency plan with your family and loved ones; know your evacuation routes.
- Have an emergency kit with enough supplies for three days, including water, food, batteries, flashlights, pet supplies, medications and important documents in a water-proof container.
- Sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSanDiego.org.
- During a storm, never drive or walk through flooded areas. Monitor weather alerts and move to higher ground if flooding is a threat.
- Know your flood risk. Flooding can happen even outside designated flood zones.
- Clear gutters and drains around your property.
- If your property is prone to flooding, consider preparing with sandbags.
For more emergency resources related to El Niño, including tips to protect your home and property, materials available in multiple languages and a video public service announcement, visit the City’s El Niño webpage: https://www.sandiego.gov/elnino
