Mayor Lurie Declares Local Emergency to Strengthen San Francisco's El Niño Preparedness

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today declared a local emergency as San Francisco prepares for El Niño winter hazards, including severe storms and coastal flooding. With demand rising for flood-protection materials and services across California, the declaration waives certain city contracting requirements to allow departments to secure goods and services needed for El Niño preparations more quickly. Led by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), city departments are already coordinating preparations to protect residents, ensure continuity of essential services, and respond as conditions change.
The declaration builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to improve public safety in San Francisco and strengthen the city’s emergency preparedness. Early in his administration, Mayor Lurie launched “ReadySF,” a comprehensive campaign designed to help residents, workers, and visitors prepare for emergencies. The mayor signed legislation to unlock funding to revamp the San Francisco Fire Department’s (SFFD) fleet and ensure the department is ready to respond in any emergency. Earlier this year, Mayor Lurie announced the 2026 Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond to provide essential funding to strengthen San Francisco’s disaster preparedness and public safety infrastructure.  

“Today, I am declaring a local emergency to ensure San Francisco is ready for the severe storms, flooding, and high tides that El Niño could bring this winter,” said Mayor Lurie. “We are acting now to make sure our departments have the resources they need to protect San Franciscans quickly throughout the season. We will continue preparing across city departments, and I’m asking every San Franciscan to do their part so we can keep our communities safe—because the time to prepare for a major storm is before it arrives.”

The emergency declaration ensures the city can move quickly to advance necessary storm preparations by expediting procurement for preparedness resources. It temporarily streamlines the procurement and contract awarding processes for key departments, including San Francisco Public Works, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Port of San Francisco, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), Recreation and Park Department (RPD), San Francisco International Airport, and the Office of Contract Administration under the City Administrator’s Office.  

Departments can use the faster process to purchase critical goods ahead of the storm season, including flood barriers, pumps, and generators that will protect infrastructure and keep essential services running. The city will also be able to stock first-aid and shelter supplies and portable restrooms that will support residents and frontline workers during severe weather. In addition, the declaration organizes city government under the Incident Command System, directs all departments to cooperate with requests from the city’s Emergency Operations Center, and allows the mayor to reallocate funds within and between departments as needed to meet the emergency.

“As we prepare for potentially severe weather this winter, our priority is making sure departments have the tools they need to protect residents and businesses, support our frontline workers and first responders, and keep essential city services running,” said City Administrator Carmen Chu. “Having the ability to purchase what we need, when we need it, is essential to delivering effective response amid rapidly changing emergency conditions.”

STRONG CITYWIDE COORDINATION

With reports of a potentially record-setting 2026-2027 El Niño, San Francisco is preparing for heavy rain and wind that can flood streets, bring down trees, and disrupt power, in addition to elevated coastal water levels that can cause flooding during high tides even without rain.  

The city’s Joint Information Center brings together agencies to coordinate preparedness and emergency communications. Working groups for infrastructure, transportation, and health and human services are already meeting to review forecasts, potential impacts, mitigation measures, and response plans, with particular attention to coastal flooding and power outages. The city has also established an incident coordination framework that outlines anticipated actions for preparedness, monitoring, response, and recovery. DEM is directing departments to plan for staffing disruptions, protect facilities, document assets, and identify dependencies between departments to keep essential services running.

“Conditions can change quickly, and one storm or severe coastal flooding event can cause serious impacts,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, DEM Executive Director. “That’s why we are bringing departments together to work through protocols, identify resource needs, and prepare to scale up the city’s response. This declaration accelerates that work and prevents procedural roadblocks from inhibiting our readiness. We also want to remind everyone that preparedness is a partnership, and we are asking residents to do their part to get ready for a wet winter.”  

DEM also worked with the Department of Technology to add new mapping features to the city’s website, ensuring it displays emergency evacuation, shelter, and supply distribution locations as needed. A citywide flood risk map is available at sf.gov/storms.

HOW SAN FRANCISCANS CAN PREPARE NOW

As the city coordinates its response, residents and businesses are encouraged to make individual preparations as early as possible.  

To protect a home or business:

• Elevate belongings and inventory in garages and basements, secure loose outdoor objects before high winds, and inspect and maintain your sewer lateral—the pipe that connects your building to the city sewer.  
• Get sandbags if your property is prone to flooding. Public Works offers San Francisco residents and businesses up to 10 free sandbags per address year-round, with Sandbag Saturday events in the Marina, Mission, Lakeshore, and other areas planned for November. Bring proof of a San Francisco address. Check sfpublicworks.org/sandbags for current information.
• Ask your insurance agent about flood insurance now, including contents coverage for renters. National Flood Insurance Program policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. See if your property is in an area prone to flooding in severe storms. SFPUC’s Rain Ready resources explain more.
• Explore flood-protection assistance. SFPUC’s Floodwater Management Grant Program can provide up to $100,000 for approved projects at eligible properties that have experienced flooding from the public right-of-way or sewer-system backflow.
• Attend the city’s free business preparedness webinar on November 4 at 10:00 AM to receive practical guidance on emergency planning, insurance considerations, documenting losses, operating during power outages, and keeping food safe. Register for the webinar.
• Join Adopt-a-Drain at adoptadrain.sfwater.org and clear leaves and surface debris from drains before or after rain. Care for a neighborhood rain garden through Rain Guardians at rainguardians.org.  

Know how to stay safe and get help.

• Sign up for AlertSF. Text your ZIP code to 888-777 or go to AlertSF.org.
• Stay informed. Check NWS Bay Area forecasts and warnings at weather.gov/mtr, and visit sf.gov/storms for city guidance.
• Report non-life-threatening flooding, clogged drains, sewer backups, and downed branches to 311 on the SF311 mobile app, online at sf311.org, or by calling 3-1-1.
• Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies or downed power lines.
• Prepare for power outages. Keep flashlights, fresh batteries, and essential supplies accessible. Charge phones and other critical devices and write down important contacts. For more, visit sf.gov/power-outages.
• Avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain and wind. Never drive, walk, or bike through floodwater, and stay away from downed power lines. Plan for remote work or adjusted hours where possible.
• Check in with neighbors who may need help, including older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone who relies on powered medical or mobility equipment.

ONGOING DEPARTMENT PREPARATIONS

City departments are taking proactive measures to reduce risks, upgrade infrastructure, and strengthen response capabilities.  

The SFPUC completed Geary Boulevard sewer and water upgrades in October, replacing or rehabilitating approximately 1.4 miles of sewer pipes between Stanyan Street and 32nd Avenue. The upgrades are expected to increase sewer capacity and help reduce flood risk. Construction has started on the Folsom Area Stormwater Improvement Project, and design is complete for the Lower Alemany Area Stormwater Improvement Project.  

“At the SFPUC, we prepare for severe weather and the growing impacts of climate change by upgrading our systems, doing advance work, and ensuring crews are ready to respond,” said Dennis Herrera, SFPUC General Manager. “We work year-round to protect the water, power, and wastewater systems that San Franciscans rely on. As we prepare for potential El Niño–driven storms, this emergency declaration gives us another tool to move even faster to secure critical supplies if an emergency arises.”

With the city already seeing increased tidal levels along the shoreline, the Port is preparing high-risk areas for temporary flood barriers, assessing vulnerable infrastructure, and readying stormwater-pumping capabilities. Procurement, risk management, and communications staff are coordinating with city partners, insurers, and tenants on response, documentation, and outreach. The Port is also strengthening interagency coordination and developing an adjusted tide warning system to help reduce coastal flooding impacts during the most extreme tide windows.

“El Niño impacts are already hitting our shoreline, and we know more water is headed our way,” said Michael Martin, Port of San Francisco Executive Director. “The Port has activated an all-hands response to protect safety and critical infrastructure as extreme tides and storm activity escalate. We’re fortifying high-risk areas and coordinating rapid emergency actions. We thank the mayor for his leadership on the emergency declaration and look forward to working closely with other city departments during this upcoming storm season.”

Public Works has more than 20,000 sandbags ready for distribution and will replenish supplies as needed. The department is also preparing staffing and resources for hazardous trees and fallen branches, landslide assessment, drain clearing, and road repairs while relocating electrical equipment at the Fourth Street drawbridge and adding portable sump pumps to protect the bridge from rising water.

“Preparing for and responding to storms is in our DNA at Public Works,” said Public Works Director Carla Short. “The ongoing close coordination with our city, regional, and state partners, as well as clear communication with the community, is paramount to ensuring that public safety remains our top priority.”

SFMTA is preparing through added maintenance, protective equipment, and emergency response planning to safeguard vehicles, facilities, and essential transit service. In areas at risk of severe flooding, SFMTA will move vehicles to higher ground or alternate facilities, while field supervisors and dispatchers adjust service in real time for flooded streets, downed trees, and power outages, with buses ready to replace rail and trolley service when needed. The agency will keep riders informed through real-time service alerts and work with emergency partners to maintain essential service, including SF Paratransit.  

“Preparing for severe weather means taking action before the storm hits and being ready to adapt as conditions change,” said Julie Kirschbaum, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “Throughout these events, our priority is maintaining essential transit connections for San Franciscans, responding to impacted traffic signals during outages, and doing everything we can to ensure people can get around safely and reliably.”

RPD is preparing for winter storms with dedicated tree and heavy-equipment crews on standby from November through mid-April. The department works year-round to identify and address potential tree hazards throughout its park system while clearing storm drains and preventing erosion ahead of and during the rainy season.  

“Preparing for winter storms is part of the work we do all year, and our arborists and heavy-equipment operators bring decades of experience to that effort,” said Sarah Madland, RPD General Manager. “We can’t predict everything nature will throw our way, but we can take steps to reduce risks and be ready to respond when storms hit, so San Franciscans can get back to enjoying their parks as soon as conditions allow.”

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and SFFD are coordinating with city partners on weather-related emergencies and will maintain staffing to respond to calls for service during storms. A police lieutenant will be dedicated to the Emergency Operations Center, while SFPD’s Marine Unit and specialist teams are trained and ready for water-related response. SFFD will be prepared to respond to all hazards, medical emergencies, and fires on land and in the surrounding bodies of water.

The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Office of Small Business, DEM, and San Francisco Public Library will host a free business preparedness webinar on November 4 at 10:00 AM. Additional resiliency resources are available on the Office of Small Business website, and the San Francisco Small Business Development Center also offers comprehensive tools to help businesses strengthen their preparedness.

“We are encouraging businesses to use the calm before the storms to gather information and take the necessary steps to safeguard their operations and customers,” said Anne Taupier, OEWD Executive Director. “This webinar will offer practical, actionable guidance that businesses can put in place immediately. We’re working to help build this muscle so owners can stave off or minimize any storm-related losses.”  

The San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) is a co-lead in the city’s Emergency Operations Center and has two disaster preparedness coordinators on staff. With people experiencing homelessness, especially those who are unsheltered, facing heightened risks during extreme weather, HSH will implement a three-phase approach that includes maintaining baseline shelter capacity, adding surge beds and extended hours during storm watches, and opening emergency pop-up shelters when severe weather hits. Additionally, HSH will help prepare shelter and housing nonprofit partners.

“With El Niño bringing heightened concerns about severe weather, HSH is taking a multi-faceted approach to provide critical respite from the storms along with warmth, safety, and dignity to people experiencing homelessness,” said Mike Levine, HSH Executive Director. “Our intervention plans include coordinated storm preparedness with our nonprofit partners, emergency pop-up shelter activation, surge planning, and additional shelter capacity.”