As the rainy season approaches, the City of San Diego is sending educational flood-preparedness flyers to households and businesses located in high-risk flood zones. The informational brochures, which will be sent to about 7,000 properties, contain practical steps to reduce flood risk, develop emergency plans, and prepare their properties for the rainy season. Preparedness is critical with a strong El Niño weather system in the forecast this fall and winter.

“Preparing early for what may be an unusually wet season is crucial, because if your home has flooded or been impacted by wet weather before, there is a high likelihood it could happen during a future rain event,” said City Stormwater Department Director Todd Snyder. “These flyers and our online resources provide residents with tools they can use to stay safe when storms arrive.”

This month, the City launched an educational campaign to encourage residents to prepare for extreme weather conditions. While these preparedness reminders are helpful for everyone, the City is taking the extra step of notifying residents in high-risk flood zones. The brochures being mailed this week include important tips on:

• How to protect homes and property during heavy rain.

• What steps to take before, during and after a flood.

• Understanding your potential flood risk and how to determine if your property is located in a flood zone.

• Purchasing flood insurance.

• How to contact the City for needed services and sign up for emergency alerts.

In recognition of the City’s multiple proactive flood prevention programs and activities, all San Diego residents qualify for a 15% discount on flood insurance premiums through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flooding can occur outside designated flood zones, so property owners and renters are encouraged to consider flood insurance.

While encouraging residents to prepare, the City is also taking steps to reduce flood risk and strengthen its stormwater system ahead of the rainy season. Over the past fiscal year, Stormwater crews maintained more than 11 miles of channels, prioritizing areas impacted by the 2024 floods and other locations known to experience flooding during heavy rains. The City plans to expand that work to more than 20 miles of channels in FY27.

Crews have also inspected more than 30,000 storm drain inlets, increased cleaning in areas that historically accumulate debris and completed preventive maintenance at all 15 stormwater pump stations to ensure they are fully operational. Teams have also replaced deteriorated storm drain segments as part of the City's ongoing work to prepare the system for heavy rainfall.

The Stormwater Department provides year-round maintenance to reduce flooding impacts, including clearing vegetation and debris from storm channels, and inspecting and cleaning storm drains. The FY27 budget includes an additional $1 million to expand and accelerate this work ahead of the rainy season.

To find out if your home is in a floodplain, go to sandiego.gov/floodplain. For more information and resources on how to properly prepare before a storm, please visit the City’s El Niño readiness website at sandiego.gov/elnino.

Residents are asked to report illegal dumping and trash near creeks or stormwater infrastructure on the GetItDone app, by calling 619-235-1000 or by emailing swppp@sandiego.gov.