With a strong El Niño forecast for the upcoming winter, the City is taking steps to prepare. Learn what to expect this storm season and the actions the City is taking to help keep the Palo Alto community ready.Join City staff for a Community Open House at Fire Station 3 on October 29 at 5:30 p.m. to learn how you can prepare your home and family.
The Creek Monitor and other systems are monitored by City of Palo Alto staff when conditions warrant and staffing permits. These creek levels and other data are provided for information purposes only. Because of complex factors, including tides and soil saturation, the creek depth readings may reach high levels with little or no danger to the public.
The creek monitor graphic reflects the individual creek configurations. The number at the top of each graphic represents the approximate water depth at which water will begin to spill from the creek. Due to the presence of floodwalls and levees at the creek monitoring locations, creek levels can rise several feet above the bottom of bridges before overtopping occurs. The graphic depictions of the creeks are representative of the shape of each creek channel. It is important to note that the actual percentage of flow capacity for each creek varies non-uniformly with depth.
The creek capacity levels table shows water depth for each creek monitoring point at 50% and 70% capacity.
Important Note: These creek levels and other data are provided for information purposes only. Please refer to our Palo Alto Flood Information page for more details. If you live outside of Palo Alto/Stanford, you will need to go to the appropriate web page established for your community for further information.
The Creek Monitor and other systems are monitored by City of Palo Alto staff when conditions warrant and staffing permits. Because of complex factors, including tides and soil saturation, the creek depth readings may reach high levels with little or no danger to the public. Conversely, there may be conditions where flooding or other damage occurs even with seemingly safe level readings. Therefore, if you perceive an unsafe condition, you should not wait to be told to take action (including evacuation).
Report flooding
Contact our central dispatch center at (650) 329-2413 (24 hours a day) to report any flooding issues.
Report blocked storm drains / sink holes / landslides / levee damage
Palo Alto Public Works
Report fallen trees
Report gas leaks, sewer spills
Utilities Communications
Report power outages & electrical problems
Utilities Electric Operations
Please do NOT call 9-1-1 unless there is an imminent threat to life or another serious emergency.