Here is a message for you from the City of Palo Alto. This information also appears at www.cityofpaloalto.org/StormUpdate, which is a good page to keep bookmarked during storm season.
Intense Storm Arriving Tonight Through Tuesday; Flood Watch & High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory In Effect (9 Bay Area Counties): The National Weather Service continues to refine predictions for tonight’s storm, noting heavier rainfall levels and increased confidence in high/hazardous winds of up to 60 mph. A High Wind Warning and a Wind Advisory are in effect 10 p.m. tonight to 10 p.m. Sunday and a Flood Watch is in effect from 4p.m. today to 10 a.m. Monday. Storm impacts are likely through Tuesday. While flood risk is low to moderate based on the revised forecast, the adjusted rainfall levels show a 0-5% chance of a creek flowrate high enough to potentially cause a repeat of 2022’s New Year’s Eve flood. Community-wide storm impacts likely such as ponding water in our roadways, and wind impacts such as tree damage, fallen debris with possible power outages.
Please use caution if you must travel. Stay informed by signing up for emergency alerts, and power outage text alerts. Find these resources and more below.
OTHER COMMUNITY CONDITIONS/UPDATES/SAFETY REMINDERS:
- Parking Enforcement Waived: Parking enforcement in downtown parking lots and garages will be waived through Tuesday, should residents in flood prone areas want to move their cars.
- Flood Stages/Emergency Alert Notification: As a reminder, should creek flow measure a rate of 4900 cubic feet per second (CFS), this triggers flood warning stage, and the City will issue an emergency alert notification and include blocks of homes impacted. Should flow rates continue to rise, with flooding imminent, which is triggered at 5400 CFS or higher, the City will issue a second emergency alert and include blocks of homes impacted noting that residents should consider evacuating. See more about the different stages of flooding below, under "Evacuation Resources." Any such messages will be sent City-wide so as to make everyone aware of what is occurring, so they can remain safe and take informed action.
- Monitor creek levels and track the weather forecast, as conditions can change quickly. Helpful online resources can be found further down on this page under "Track Weather/Creek Levels".
- Prepare now: If you live in an area that has seen flooding in past years, consider preparing for flooding as a precaution. Sandbag locations are stocked. Location information can be found below under "Storm Ready Resources."
- Stay informed: Sign-up for emergency alerts and follow Palo Alto Police on Nixle for public safety updates. Sign up for utilities power outage text alerts and gain details about power outages at https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/outages
- Report community concerns: Only call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Report neighborhood impacts through Palo Alto 311 or call us directly at the phone numbers listed to the right on this page.
- Season Trail Closures in Effect: Some seasonal trails are closed at Arastradero Nature Preserve. Baylands Nature Preserve and Foothills Nature Preserve will continue normal operating hours. For details, go here.
- Colder Temperatures are Expected: Find Countywide Warming Centers, including Palo Alto Library hours here.
