Zone 7 prepares flood protection system and community for heavy rains

With a strong El Niño developing, Zone 7 is taking extra precautions and encourages residents to get “flood ready” at annual open house

Zone 7 is taking proactive steps to prepare the Tri-Valley for the upcoming storm season - and encouraging residents to get flood-ready, too. Preparations come as the state of California prepares for the developing El Niño and include everything from maintaining flood protection channels and completing priority storm-damage repairs to strengthening storm-response planning, monitoring local waterways and coordinating with regional partners. The Agency is encouraging residents to take extra precautions as well, and will provide additional information, resources and more at their annual Flood Safety Open House, Saturday, October 24 from 10am to 2pm at their headquarters, located at 100 N. Canyons Pkwy in Livermore.

On September 21, the state proclaimed an emergency to strengthen statewide preparedness and stage resources ahead of potential winter storms. The National Weather Service reports a 98% chance of a very strong El Niño through fall and winter and a 75% chance of an event exceeding the strength of previous El Niños dating back to 1950. The NWS emphasizes that even very strong El Niño events do not produce the expected impacts everywhere.

“We know we can't predict exactly what this winter will bring, but we can be ready for it,” said Zone 7 General Manager Valerie Pryor. “We've taken what we've learned from past storms and put it into planning, preparation and stronger coordination with our partners. We want our community to do the same - prepare now, know where to find reliable information and be ready before the rain starts.”

Zone 7 manages approximately 37 miles of streams and flood protection channels throughout the Tri-Valley, with ongoing inspections, vegetation and debris management, and maintenance and priority repairs to areas damaged by previous major storms. Zone 7 is also preparing equipment and flood-fighting resources for deployment if needed and continues to improve the monitoring tools used to track local conditions.

Past storms have also shaped how Zone 7 prepares today. The Agency has strengthened its storm-response planning, so staff have clearly defined roles and procedures before an emergency occurs and is coordinating with cities and regional partners on storm preparedness and resources. Zone 7 also developed its Storm Alert Level system following the major storms of 2023 to give residents an easy-to-understand way to see current local storm and flood conditions as Zone 7 monitors stream gauges and weather forecasts.

Residents can prepare alongside us by planning ahead and knowing where to find reliable information.

• Check your flood risk using FEMA's Flood Map Service Center
• Bookmark Zone 7's StreamTracker to monitor local rainfall, stream levels and streamflow
• Sign up for AC Alert for emergency notifications
• Follow the National Weather Service for forecasts, watches and warnings.
• Residents should also prepare their property, household emergency plan and supplies before storms arrive.