Zone 7 prepares flood protection system and community for heavy rains

LIVERMORE, Calif. (October 19, 2026) – 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, 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.

Zone 7 has expanded its public sandbag program, with free, fill-your-own sandbags available at locations throughout the Tri-Valley, limited to 10 bags per household. Residents can use Zone 7’s sandbag map to find the Zone 7 or partner-agency location that works best for them. Preparing early means having what you need before a storm arrives – and residents can come to the Flood Safety Open House for a demonstration on how to fill and place sandbags effectively.

Zone 7 is inviting the community to its Flood Safety Open House for free, family-friendly fun designed to make flood preparedness useful, interactive and memorable. Residents can learn how to use StreamTracker, see sandbag demonstrations, check out the Touch-a-Truck station, talk with Zone 7 staff and local partners, and learn where to turn for reliable information before and during a storm.

Kids can join Flood Ready Freddy’s Prep Patrol, visit interactive stations, collect badges, take part in hands-on water science activities with their Water Academy teachers, trick-or-treat in costume and enter to win prizes. Zone 7 staff are excited to share the work they do behind-the-scenes and help families leave with practical tools and information they can use before winter storms arrive.

The Flood Safety Open House is free and open to the community. RSVP online. For more flood preparedness information, visit zone7waterca.gov/floodready.