Flood preparedness

When you hear that there is a “Flood Watch” or a “Flood Warning," it’s already too late to begin preparing for the high water.

It is crucial to prepare for the possibility of flooding ahead of time.

Things you can do now to be prepared

• Prepare your property for the winter season.
• Sign up for Alert Marin to get calls, text, or email notifications from the County's Office of Emergency Management.
• Learn about your flood insurance options and get it in advance.
• Find where to purchase sand bags in your area at the Office of Emergency Management webpage.
• Get information on training and education to keep you and your family safe, warm, and fed in the event of a flood please at the ReadyMarin website.

When can flooding occur

• El Niño years: two major flooding years in Marin's history occurred during years with El Niño episodes (1997/98 and 1982/83). The District prepares every year as though it is an “El Niño year.”
• Non-El Niño years: it is not unusual to experience major flooding in the absence of El Niño, such as in 2005/06.
• Drought years: flooding can even occur during a drought year such as 2015, when the County suffered some of its worst flooding damage since 2006
• Sunny days: high tides can impact low-lying coastal communities, and this will continue to worsen over time due to sea level rise.