{"id":449901,"date":"2026-09-01T11:50:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T11:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/449901\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T11:50:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T11:50:14","slug":"el-nino-could-bring-a-wet-wild-winter-how-can-you-and-your-home-be-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/449901\/","title":{"rendered":"El Ni\u00f1o Could Bring a Wet, Wild Winter. How Can You \u2014 and Your Home \u2014 Be Ready?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Higher seas<\/a>. Back-to-back storms. Mudslides. Flooded homes and highways.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The mere mention of El Ni\u00f1o \u2014 and the headlines you\u2019re seeing \u2014 can be anxiety-provoking. But how real should your worry be? And what can you do to protect your home, business, or property in advance?<\/p>\n

First, the outlook: Federal forecasters report there\u2019s a 90% chance of a \u201cvery strong\u201d El Ni\u00f1o<\/a> this fall and winter, and a nearly 70% chance that the strength of El Ni\u00f1o could exceed the strength of any similar event seen since 1950.<\/p>\n

Bay Area cities and counties prone to flooding from the sky and the bay, like San Francisco and Marin, are already taking the El Ni\u00f1o threat seriously and preparing for the worst: deluges that could combine with high tides and temporarily elevated sea levels to potentially swamp whole neighborhoods and roadways, including Highway 101.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had situations in the past where we\u2019ve had to evacuate blocks,\u201d said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Francisco\u2019s Department of Emergency Management. \u201cWe\u2019re having much more severe weather situations, and we\u2019re seeing things that we haven\u2019t seen in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"A puddle left behind by receding king tides reflects homes along Golden Hind Passage in Corte Madera on June 15, 2026.\u00a0(Gustavo Hernandez\/KQED)<\/p>\n

Marin County officials are paying close attention to the confluence of El Ni\u00f1o-driven elevated sea levels, seasonal king tides, and the potential for frequent storms that could hammer the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know if it\u2019s going to rain, but we are going to plan for it to rain a significant amount,\u201d said Steven Torrence, director of emergency management for Marin County. \u201cWater has to go somewhere, and if it can\u2019t go to the bay, we want to be able to push it to locations where it actually will not impact our residents or people\u2019s infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Counties and cities are preparing by investing in temporary pumps, cleaning storm drains, working with partner agencies to ensure people aren\u2019t on Bay Area roads during flooding and sending emergency alerts out swiftly when danger arises.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to know about significant traffic incidents, upcoming floods or significant storms, we will send out notifications once thresholds are hit,\u201d Torrence said.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know about how El Ni\u00f1o could affect your home and your safety this winter \u2014 not to panic you, but so you\u2019re prepared for what might happen in a few months.<\/p>\n

\nFirst off, what is El Ni\u00f1o \u2014 and what kind of weather could it bring exactly?\n<\/p>\n

El Ni\u00f1o forms when tropical trade winds<\/a> weaken or reverse, allowing warm ocean water near Asia to slosh toward the Pacific Coast. That warming can reshape the jet stream and bring stormier weather across California while disrupting the ocean\u2019s nutrient-rich upwelling<\/a>, heating coastal waters, raising sea levels and stressing marine life.<\/p>\n

Exactly what the weather will look like this fall and winter is \u2014 quite literally \u2014 still up in the air. But similar events in past El Ni\u00f1o years have brought torrential downpours, coastal flooding, mudslides, power outages and giant waves.<\/p>\n

The Climate Prediction Center suggests that much of California will experience above-normal temperatures this fall and precipitation<\/a> this winter. Earlier in the fall, forecasters expect warm and wet weather in Southern California, the Central Coast, and in the South and East Bays.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Cars drive on Highway 101 flooded by the \u201cKing Tides\u201d on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California.\u00a0(Ethan Swope\/AP Photo)<\/p>\n

And come December, there\u2019s potential for above-normal precipitation throughout Northern California.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service\u2019s Bay Area office, said the Bay Area sits in this interesting transition zone with \u201cdrier conditions to the north and wetter conditions to the south.\u201d As a result, the Bay Area could \u201cgo either way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kennedy said, \u201cIt is getting more likely that we will see a rainy winter, but we will need to keep an eye on it. Exactly how much it\u2019s going to be above normal, we don\u2019t really know.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the fact that the CPC has started indicating leaning above normal for precipitation is a good sign that we are trending towards a wetter winter,\u201d she said<\/p>\n

\nCould where I live be at risk of flooding from El Ni\u00f1o?\n<\/p>\n

The effects of El Ni\u00f1o \u2014 severe rainstorms<\/a> that flood homes and roadways, strong winds toppling trees, temporarily higher seas and giant waves eroding bluffs \u2014 have the potential to directly affect Bay Area homes from Pacifica to San Francisco to San Rafael.<\/p>\n

\"\"Plastic sheeting and sandbags are placed outside a home along Golden Hind Passage, as residents prepare for potential king tide flooding, in Corte Madera, on June 15, 2026.\u00a0(Gustavo Hernandez\/KQED)<\/p>\n

Torrence said homeowners in areas that can or routinely flood should also invest in sandbags or flood barriers to protect their assets. Your county may be making these tools available: The County of Marin has 32 sites<\/a> already offering sandbags, and the San Francisco Department of Public Works offers 10 free sandbags<\/a> per household.<\/p>\n

Carroll, in San Francisco<\/a>, also said residents should be ready for power outages <\/a>by purchasing backup batteries, flashlights, and nonperishable food. It\u2019s also important to develop a plan \u2014 \u201con a good day,\u201d she stressed \u2014 with your family and neighbors in case disaster strikes. As part of this, you should make sure all your important documentation \u2014 passports, birth certificates, etc. \u2014 is in a safe place, ideally even in a container you can easily grab when evacuating.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone who gets evacuated will tell you they have no idea why they grabbed the things they did,\u201d Carroll said. \u201cI have a list on my refrigerator to remind me of what to take if I had to get out quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it comes to your neighborhood, residents should also make sure storm drains are clear of debris to reduce the risk of a water backup that could flood your street.\u00a0<\/p>\n

San Francisco has an Adopt-A-Drain<\/a> program where people can name their drain and are responsible for helping the city clear leaves, trash, and other debris from it. Around KQED\u2019s offices, for example, named drains<\/a> include \u2018Drain Me Baby One More Time,\u2019 Singin\u2019 in the Drain and \u2018No Pain No Drain\u2019.<\/p>\n

Since storms can occur during holidays, Torrence said it is important to build relationships with neighbors who can check on your home or alert you if damage occurs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nI\u2019m a renter. Do I have any responsibility for El Ni\u00f1o preparations \u2014 or liability if the worst happens?\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Carroll said yes, renters should follow a similar plan to prepare for the potential consequences of downpours, power outages, flooding, and falling trees (see above).\u00a0<\/p>\n

But, she said, landlords are usually responsible for the upkeep of their property. And renters should ask questions like: Should we be worried about this area that ponds water? What if the power goes out? Or it flooded last year in my apartment or the basement; has that been mitigated?<\/p>\n

Torrence, with the County of Marin, said renters should review their lease agreement to understand their burden here versus their landlord\u2019s, because not all leases are the same.<\/p>\n

\"\"People paddle through a street flooded by the \u201cKing Tides,\u201d occurring when the sun, moon and Earth align, causing a stronger gravitational pull on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California.\u00a0(Ethan Swope\/AP Photo)<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there are things that are on the property owner, please let them know, things like looking at trees and landscaping,\u201d Torrence said. \u201cWe definitely encourage people to have those conversations with property owners early.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bringing up issues with landlords before the storm season starts is important, Torrence said, because property owners often travel for the winter or are on holiday during the period with the greatest impacts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure you bring issues up to your property owners\u2019 attention by saying what\u2019s happened when it\u2019s windy and rainy,\u201d Torrence said. \u201cThat way they can advance those mitigation measures.\u201d<\/p>\n

Torrence also said it\u2019s important to check what is covered in your renters insurance. If you live in a flood-prone area, purchasing a plan could prove beneficial if the worst happens.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDouble-check what [your] renters insurance policy is and have a conversation with your property owner to figure out what they cover?\u201d Torrence said. \u201cBecause when we have these incidents, that is too late to be looking at your insurance policy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nHow could El Ni\u00f1o affect my travel plans this winter?\n<\/p>\n

Two other areas to pay attention to when the skies darken and the sea rises: travel on highways and flights from local airports.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are traveling either on the road or flying during a storm, the roadways are going to be wet, and you\u2019re likely going to encounter difficulties in visibility, particularly if you experience moderate to heavy rainfall,\u201d Kennedy said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Heavy rains cause flooding in the streets of San Francisco, California, on Dec. 22, 2025, as a storm system pummels Northern California. \u00a0(Jessica Christian\/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

She also said to expect flooded roadways at times and gusty winds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you feel unsafe while driving, make sure to pull off the road, or if you feel safe enough to continue, make sure you are driving slowly and leaving extra time to reach your destination,\u201d Kennedy said. Read our guide to driving during very wet weather.<\/a><\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re on a flight during a storm, be prepared for travel delays due to turbulence, she said.<\/p>\n

\nHow can I make sure I\u2019m aware of El Ni\u00f1o-related emergencies and extreme weather in my area?\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

The first stop experts suggest Bay Area residents should check for information during a flood event or storm is the National Weather Service<\/a>. Check out the service\u2019s website to find out where and when the storm will hit your area. Forecasters regularly update the site with warnings and provide a detailed daily forecast discussion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Secondly, Bay Area residents can sign up for emergency alerts from their city or county. Marin County runs a public emergency portal<\/a> 24\/7, as does San Francisco<\/a>. Often, city, county, or fire department Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) pages post evacuation orders, flood updates, or virtual town halls.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"A sign stating \u201cslippery when wet subject to flooding and water surge\u201d at the Embarcadero\u2019s seawall between the bustling city and water in San Francisco, California, on May 1, 2018.\u00a0(Lauren Hanussak\/KQED)<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t necessarily expect your phone\u2019s maps app to have the latest information during extreme weather. \u201cWe encourage people to look at that website, especially during major flooding incidents because oftentimes we have the information before it shows up on Google Maps or Apple Maps,\u201d Torrence said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Marin County residents can also sign up for emergency alerts through Alert Marin<\/a>. The county will send out alerts once two inches of rain fall in an hour or three inches in 24 hours.<\/p>\n

\nWhere to sign up for Bay Area emergency alerts to be ready for El Ni\u00f1o\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\nBay Area county alerts\n<\/p>\n

\"\"A train approaches the San Leandro BART station on March 13, 2024.\u00a0(Martin do Nascimento\/KQED)<\/p>\n

\nBay Area transit alerts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Higher seas. Back-to-back storms. Mudslides. Flooded homes and highways.\u00a0 The mere mention of El Ni\u00f1o \u2014 and the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":449902,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[101,103,102,104,106,105],"class_list":["post-449901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-francisco","tag-san-francisco","tag-san-francisco-headlines","tag-san-francisco-news","tag-sf","tag-sf-headlines","tag-sf-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/449901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=449901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/449901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/449902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=449901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=449901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=449901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}