During a time of emergency the City's primary duty is to ensure public safety. In the case of a flood, City resources are directed toward evacuating residents as necessary, responding to police, fire, and medical emergencies, maintaining utility services, providing traffic control, pumping flooded streets and providing sandbags.

• Visit the Creek Monitor Page
  Real-time creek monitoring and the live CreekCam
        
• Visit the Emergency Information Page
  Learn about preparedness, and view other emergency information
      
• For more information call:
  Palo Alto Office of Emergency Services
  phone: 650-617-3197
  hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

The experts differ on what the winter weather will bring, but they agree on one thing: it pays to be prepared. The City of Palo Alto suggests a few things you can do to be ready for the very real possibility of flooding in our area.

• Be prepared by following these tips

What You Can Do To Prepare

• Know if your property is in a floodzone
• Regular homeowner's insurance policies don't cover flood damage. Call your insurance agent to purchase flood insurance to protect your home and contents.
• Replace the batteries in your flashlights and portable radio and store these emergency supplies in water-tight plastic bags.
• Have a supply plastic sheeting, plywood, and tools ready for waterproofing of doors and openings.
• Pick up sandbags at these locations
• Watch Channel 28 or 30 for a video on sandbagging techniques.
• Post emergency numbers near the telephone.
• Discuss emergency plans with your family. This link takes you to the Red Cross' Flood Preparedness tips.

• Visit the Floodplain Management home page
• Visit the Floodzone Lookup page

        
If Flooding is Present or Imminent

• Stay informed about weather conditions. Use the radio (tuned to KCBS 740 AM/106.9 FM or KZSU 90.1 FM) as your primary source of information and instruction. (See other resources below.)
• Make sure your family and pets are safe. Then, if time permits, move valuable household possessions from off the floor.
• Do not try to drive across a flooded road -- you could become stranded or trapped.
• Report downed power lines, leaking gas lines, or blocked storm drains to the City immediately (see numbers below).
• Be ready to evacuate if directed by emergency personnel.

            
Online Weather / Emergency Information

• Santa Clara Valley Water District Emergency Updates 
• National Weather Service Palo Alto Forecast Page 
• Bayarea weather - Local conditions and forecast
• FEMA - What to do before, during and after
• California Environmental Resources Evaluation System's Flood Information - Current weather and road conditions
• Governor's Office of Emergency Services - Good prevention tips
• Radar Images - What's on its way?

         
Resource List:

• Palo Alto flood alert information
  Radio stations:KCBS 740 AM/106.9 FM
  KZSU 90.1 FM
      
• Fire/Police
  329-2413 (non-emergencies)
  911 (emergencies only)
      
• City public information hotline (taped message)
  650-329-2420

Additional Resources
Blocked storm drains and/or slides:
Palo Alto Public Works
496-6974 (weekdays 7 a.m.-5p.m.)
329-2413 (after hours)

Fallen Trees:
Palo Alto Public Works
496-5953 (weekdays 7 a.m.-5 p.m.)
329-2413 (after hours)

Gas leaks, sewer spills:
Palo Alto Communications 329-2579

Power outages & electrical problems:
Palo Alto Electric Operations 496-6914

Road conditions:
Palo Alto 329-2420 (during flood emergency only)
Caltrans (800)427-7623

Highway Conditions for Santa Clara County

After-Flood Safety:
Gas and electric appliance safety
Cleaning up after a flood

Content Source: Emergency Response Incident Commander (ERIC).