The National Weather Service predicts an 83% likelihood of strong El Niño storm conditions greater than past El Niño storms since 1950 during this year’s rainy season between October 2026 to March 2027. The Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is maintaining our County’s flood control channels and pump stations, and remains ready to respond to rain and flood events during storms. Below are some resources that you can use to help your family and community stay safe this winter.
Sandbags for Unincorporated Alameda County Residents
The Alameda County Public Works Agency has free sandbags available for residents of the unincorporated Alameda County only. Sandbags are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week outside of the corporation yard gates at the locations below, and are made available upon forecast of the first major storm of the season. Please bring your own shovel and a way to transport bags. Sandbags are limited to five (5) per household.
Alameda County Public Works Agency Buildings:
Fire Stations:
Other Locations
Live outside of the unincorporated Alameda County? Get your sandbags from your city public works agency listed on THIS FLYER.
Emergency Alerts
Sign up for emergency alerts that are texted to your phone, download the apps, and make sure emergency notifications are enabled on your cell phone settings.
Download the Genasys Protect App to get immediate notification of evacuation orders and other emergency information in your area.
Make sure emergency notifications are enabled on your cell phone settings. See these short videos with instructions.
Stay tuned to 740 AM or 88.5 FM radio for emergency alerts during major storms.
Weather Updates
Visit the following resources to see the latest weather updates and projections from local and national meteorologists and weather experts:
- National Weather Service (NWS), San Francisco Bay Area for detailed local forecasts and warnings
- California-Nevada River Forecast Center for regional hydrologic, river and flood forecasts
- Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes for atmospheric river forecasts
- NWS Monthly El Niño Advisory (ENSO Diagnostic Discussion)
- NWS Climate Prediction Center 3-Month Precipitation Outlooks
Road Closures and Traffic Information
Obey road closures and plan your travel according to traffic conditions to stay safe during storm conditions. See these resources for the latest updates:
- Road Closures in the unincorporated Alameda County serviced by the Alameda County Public Works Agency
- Countywide road closures reported by multiple sources
- 511.org: Traffic, public transit, travel, and road closure info in the San Francisco Bay Area
- CalTrans QuickMap: Road closures, traffic and travel info on state highways
Before & During the Storm: Be Prepared and Stay Safe
Stay safe before and during the storms!
Here are some tips and resources on how to prepare ahead of time and stay safe:
Prepare Before the Storm
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- Sign up for local emergency alerts + updates
- Prepare your home
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- Clean your rain gutters, storm drains and downspouts from leaves and debris
- Direct downspouts away from your foundation
- Inspect your roof, drainage systems & sump pump, and make necessary repairs
- Trim trees and landscaping away from your building and power lines
- Turn off automatic sprinklers
- Prepare sandbags to create temporary barriers to water
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- Assess your home’s flood risk, and buy flood insurance if needed
- Prepare a grab-and-go emergency kit in a waterproof container
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- Water & ready-to-eat, non-perishable food for 3+ days
- Flashlight & extra batteries & whistle
- Portable radio
- First aid supplies & essential medications
- Chargers, cash and key documents
- Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
- Clothes and blankets
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- Keep your car fueled and your cell phone charged
- Create a communication plan to meet up with family members
Stay Safe During the Storm
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- Never cross standing water on roads or “Road Closed” barricades
- Stay tuned to the radio and cell phone alerts for weather updates
- Never approach downed trees, downed power lines or mudslides—report these to authorities
- Move to higher ground if flooding occurs
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- Download this flyer on Storm Preparation and Safety Tips
- Visit Ready.gov for additional storm and emergency preparedness resource
- Review the National Weather Service’s Flood Safety Tips and Resources
- Watch the Alameda County Public Works Agency’s public service announcement video shorts about how to stay safe during El Niño. Stay tuned for the updated 2026-27 video series that will go live soon!
Make an Emergency Plan and Build an Emergency Kit
- Visit Ready.gov/plan for steps on how to make an Emergency Plan for your family
- Visit Ready.gov/kit for tips on how to build an Emergency Kit
- Download these flyers from Alameda County Office of Emergency Services for more tips:
- Consider having these critical documents ready to include in your emergency kit
- Review how to be financially prepared in a disaster
Flood Risk and Flood Insurance
- Assess whether your property is in a high flood risk area
- Visit Floodsmart.gov to buy flood insurance
- Understand how to file a flood insurance claim
Power Outages
- View a live map of current power outages on PG&E’s website
- Report power outages online, or call 1-800-743-5002
- View resources from PG&E to get support with power outages
- View additional power outage resources from the Alameda County Office of Emergency Services
Report Storm Hazards
Report storm hazards like downed trees, mudslides and flooded roads to your local public works agency.
Report storm hazards in the unincorporated Alameda County to the Alameda County Public Works Agency at our Service Request online portal, through the acpwa.org/mobile-citizen phone app, (510) 670-5500, or info@acpwa.org.
If you live in an incorporated city in Alameda County, please report issues and service requests to your city public works agency, using the information below:
- City of Albany Public Works Service Request App
- City of Berkeley: Report Issues
- City of Oakland OAK 311 (SeeClickFix), or dial 311 or (510) 615-5566
- City of Emeryville SeeClickFix
- City of Alameda SeeClickFix
- City of San Leandro Report a Concern (MySanLeandro app)
- City of Hayward (Access Hayward app)
- City of Union City Public Works Service Request and Report Form
- City of Newark Public Works Maintenance Division: (510) 578-4806, maintenance@newarkca.gov. After-hours non-emergency dispatch: (510) 578-4237
- City of Fremont (Fremont App). For sewer emergencies only, contact Union Sanitary District (510) 477-7500, calls answered 24/7.
- City of Dublin (Fix It-Dublin app)
- City of Pleasanton Work Request Portal
- City of Livermore Service Request Portal or (925) 960-8020. For sewer and storm drain issues only, call (925) 960-8100, or after-hours (925) 960-8160.
Report downed power lines to PG&E: Call 911 to report the location, then call PG&E at 1-800-743-5002, or their 24-hour emergency line at 1-877-660-6789.
Additional Assistance
Residents who need help finding shelter, food, health care, transportation, utilities or other community services during emergencies can dial 211 or contact 211 Alameda County.