Wet Weather Expected this Weekend: Get Prepared Now

Published on March 08, 2023

National Weather Service forecasts show a storm with the potential for gusty winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rain starting late Thursday and into Friday, with a flood watch continuing through the weekend.

Find current updates and resources at www.paloalto.gov/StormUpdate

What You Can Do

Stay informed.

With flooding concerns in lower lying areas of Palo Alto and the potential for other community impacts such as downed trees and power outages, it is important to get prepared now. Sign up for emergency alerts and have an emergency plan in place.

Prepare with your sandbags just in case.

Take action now by placing your saved sandbags strategically around your property to help prevent flood or filling new ones at City locations. All sandbag locations currently have supplies available and some pre-filled sandbags for the community:

Rinconada Tennis Court (corner of Newell Avenue and Hopkins Avenue)
Mitchell Park (600 East Meadow Dr.)
Palo Alto Airport Terminal (1925 Embarcadero Rd.)
Corner of Chaucer Street and Palo Alto Avenue

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.

What the City is Doing

The City will keep our community updated as the storm progresses, please sign up for alerts and follow us on social media by going to www.paloalto.gov/connect.

Staff are monitoring catch basins/storm drains with a priority on areas that flooded during the New Year’s Eve storm. Additional equipment and extra staff are on standby Thursday – Sunday to respond to the storm, if necessary. Pump stations and creek monitors have been inspected and are working, and creeks, streets, and other flood prone areas will be monitored.

Helpful Online Resources

Find storm related resources and important phone numbers at www.paloalto.gov/stormupdate
For other storm related resources go here: www.paloalto.gov/storms
Monitor Creek water flow and levels here: www.paloalto.gov/creekmonitor
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Sign Up for Alerts from the Palo Alto Police Department via Nixle

Important Phone Numbers

For blocked storm drains, sink holes, landslides, levee damage, and fallen trees, call Palo Alto Public Works at (650) 496-6974 on weekdays from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. and (650) 329-2413 after hours.
For gas leaks and sewer spills, call Palo Alto Utilities Water, Gas, Wastewater Operations at (650) 329-2579.
For power outages and electrical problems, call Palo Alto Utilities Electric Operations at (650) 496-6914.

Do Not Call 9-1-1 unless it's an emergency.