BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Receive a Joint Update on El Nino Preparedness for the 2026-2027 Rainy Season.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Santa Clara Valley Water District Board and the City of San Jose Mayor and City Council receive an update on the continued coordination to support our communities in the case of flooding.
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SUMMARY:
Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) and the City of San Jose (City) are coordinating preparations for the upcoming rainy season and potential El Nino conditions. Both agencies conduct annual winter preparedness activities within their respective authorities and are strengthening coordination this season to help protect people, property, infrastructure, and the environment. El Nino may increase the potential for wetter conditions, but the timing and severity of individual storms cannot be predicted with certainty. The agencies are therefore preparing for a range of storm conditions and will adjust operations as conditions evolve.
Valley Water’s preparedness includes expanded public outreach, updated emergency response plans, interagency exercises, ongoing monitoring and flood forecasting, continued Stream Maintenance Program (SMP) activities, and community resources such as flood preparedness information and sandbags. Valley Water is also taking steps to expedite the procurement of supplies and other storm response resources.
The City is preparing its storm sewer system for wet-weather conditions, briefing field and office teams for storm-season operations, monitoring weather, remaining alert for creek blockages and known stream hot spots on City lands, and maintaining its citywide emergency response, public information, and recovery capabilities. The City and Valley Water are coordinating preparedness activities so that information can be shared and response actions aligned when storm conditions emerge.
The agencies have also conducted joint preparedness activities, including the September 30 Anderson Dam Interagency exercise, during which the City of San Jose activated its Emergency Operations Center as a participating agency. A Joint Emergency Action Plan workshop is also planned, and staff are continuing to coordinate on emergency response procedures, information sharing, public communications, and preparations leading into the winter season.
Effective flood preparedness is a shared responsibility across interconnected systems and a creek network with multiple owners and jurisdictions. Valley Water maintains and operates flood protection facilities and waterways within its property rights, while the City manages its storm sewer system and City-owned infrastructure and property. The agencies are working to communicate respective responsibilities, coordinate where jurisdictions overlap, and identify practical ways to expedite time-sensitive preparedness activities. Valley Water is also pursuing regulatory streamlining measures to facilitate work that maintains or restores channel conveyance in flood-prone areas within Valley Water’s jurisdiction, including portions of Coyote Creek and Upper Penitencia Creek. Valley Water will continue to coordinate separately with the City regarding conditions and preparedness needs on City-owned property.
These efforts provide a coordinated approach to El Nino and rainy-season preparedness that combines public education, emergency readiness, proactive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and community resources. Valley Water and the City will continue to share information and coordinate operational readiness and field response as storm conditions develop.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no environmental justice impacts associated with the El Nino preparedness efforts. This action will not result in disproportionate impacts on any specific communities relative to the general population. However, these efforts are expected to provide broad public safety benefits by improving flood preparedness and awareness in San Jose and throughout Santa Clara County, with targeted outreach and resources provided to communities and neighborhoods at greater risk of flooding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No financial impact is anticipated from the recommended action, which is informational in nature.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: PowerPoint
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Chris Hakes, (408) 630-3796