Full Notification

12:30 P.M. UPDATE 

CURRENT CONDITIONS 

Significant storm arriving today. Per the National Weather Service, a significant storm is arriving today, with the period of highest rainfall occurring beginning this afternoon and lasting overnight into early Thursday morning.  This means that the majority of the rain will fall after dark, and any flooding risk that may occur will likely happen during the nighttime hours.  There is also a high wind warning in effect for the same period, with gusts of wind exceeding 50 mph.  Power outages are possible as a result; if they occur, please be patient as crews will be working on power restorations while balancing emergency responses to other storm needs.  National Weather Service recently updated their predictions, and there may be a lower flood risk of the San Francisquito Creek. Due to the likely nature of the creek to flash flood at times, and the high wind warning issued, the City continues to prepare for a significant storm response. To track National Weather Service storm updates, go to https://www.weather.gov/mtr/.  

Gain real-time updates on storm impacts and stay informed on potential emergency alerts and warnings. Get real-time notifications from the City via Twitter, Facebook, Nextdoor, and the Police Department’s Nixle feed. Receive emergency alerts via SCC Alert. Click here to connect.  Track creek water levels at www.cityofpaloalto.org/creekmonitor  

Community Resource Center opening. Staff will be opening a Community Resource Center at Rinconada Library at 2 p.m. today, if residents need a warm and dry location away from their home to relocate and gather. Visitors can also charge devices, use a laptop, find a hotel, and determine next steps. The Community Resource Center will be open overnight until at least 8 p.m. on Thursday. 

Emergency Operations Center opening. Staff from multiple City departments will be opening our Emergency Operations Center at City Hall later today. This will allow staff to best monitor current conditions, coordinate emergency responses, communicate emergency information to the public, and liaison with our regional partners. 

Sandbag station status update. Staff are regularly monitoring supply levels of sandbag supplies at our four sandbag stations and replenishing as needed. See below for locations and instructions on how to properly fill and place sandbags to protect your home. 

Residents in flood prone areas are welcome to move cars to a safer location. Options to park include surface lots in Downtown. Residential preferential parking (RPP) programs and timed parking regulations are temporarily suspended during the storm.   

STREET CLOSURES IN EFFECT 

All roadways are currently open. 

PREPARE NOW FOR THE STORM 

Prepare now, assist neighbors. Residents in flood risk areas should take precautions and prepare now to safeguard your home as much as possible.  Please be a good neighbor and offer your assistance to your neighbors if you’re able. 

• Sandbags.  Staff are regularly monitoring supply levels of sandbag supplies at our four sandbag stations and replenishing as needed. Please do not overfill the sandbags – they only need to be filled about 1/3 of the way with sand.  Watch this one-minute video from our partners at Valley Water on how to properly fill and pack a sandbag.  To learn how to protect your home from water using filled sandbags, watch this five-minute video from Valley Water.  The four sandbag stations are located at: Palo Alto Avenue at Chaucer Street, Rinconada Tennis Courts (at the corner of Newell Road and Hopkins Avenue), Mitchell Park (600 East Meadow Drive), Palo Alto Airport Terminal (1925 Embarcadero Road) 

• Storm drains.  If you have a storm drain inlet near your home in the street, consider using a rake and clearing any debris (leaves, tree branches, etc.) that may have accumulated over the grate.  If possible, please place organic matter into your compost bins.  This will help reduce ponding on our roadways for the next storm.   

• Stay informed of current and forecast conditions.  As noted above, we encourage the community to monitor changes in the weather forecast.  Get real-time notifications from the City via Twitter, Facebook, Nextdoor, and the Police Department’s Nixle feed. Receive emergency alerts via SCC Alert. Click here to connect.  Track creek water levels at www.cityofpaloalto.org/creekmonitor  

• Report damage. For residents who have flood damage to their homes from the December 31 storm event, please fill out this online form at www.cityofpaloalto.org/reportflooddamage, and City building officials will follow-up.  The City has established a process to offer three nights of hotel accommodations at select hotels for those who we confirm have been displaced from their homes as a result of flooding from the December 31 storm event. Please use [email protected] to request accommodations. 

• Prepare now for how to turn off your home’s electrical power and gas, just in case.  Take the time now to locate your home's electrical breaker box and gas turn-off valve.  If water floods your home high enough that it might reach electrical outlets or any gas-powered appliance (furnace, hot water heater, gas-powered stove, etc.), immediately turn off the electrical power to your home by flipping all circuit breakers, and immediately turn off the gas to your home. 

• Residents in flood prone areas are welcome to move cars to a safer location. Options to park include surface lots in Downtown. Residential preferential parking (RPP) programs and timed parking regulations are temporarily suspended during the upcoming storm.  

For other ways to be storm-ready, visit our website at www.cityofpaloalto.org/storms. This website also shares various level of flood maps with different levels flood risk. Based on flood management work by various agencies, these maps may show larger flood zones than exist today, though they could be helpful for community planning purposes.