With King Tides and winter storms approaching, the City of Alameda is taking proactive steps to prepare for potential coastal flooding and help residents protect their homes, families, and businesses. From preparing emergency response resources to expanding free sandbag availability, City staff are working ahead of the storm season to reduce potential impacts and keep the community informed.
As part of these efforts, the City will host four community preparedness meetings in November to share what residents can expect this winter, explain potential local flood risks, and provide practical steps everyone can take to prepare.
To make the meetings accessible to as many residents as possible, the City strategically selected four locations across Alameda, with particular consideration for neighborhoods vulnerable to coastal flooding. Meetings are scheduled during both morning and evening hours to accommodate different schedules.
Community Meeting Schedule
Tuesday, November 10 | 7 p.m.
Earhart Elementary School
400 Packet Landing, Alameda
How Residents Can Prepare
Residents can take several steps now to protect themselves, their families, and their property ahead of winter storms and potential flooding:
Sign up for AC Alert: Register for Alameda County's emergency notification system to receive important alerts by text, email, or phone, including information about severe weather, emergencies, and evacuation instructions. Visit acalert.org.
Know your evacuation zone: Visit protect.genasys.com to identify your evacuation zone before an emergency. Knowing your zone can help you quickly determine whether an evacuation warning or order affects your neighborhood.
Stay informed: Monitor National Weather Service forecasts, emergency alerts, and official City of Alameda updates. Weather conditions can change quickly, particularly when heavy rainfall coincides with unusually high tides.
Build an emergency kit: Include enough water, nonperishable food, medications, first aid supplies, sanitation items, flashlights, batteries, and warm clothing or blankets to sustain your household during an emergency or power outage. Remember supplies for pets and household members with additional needs.
Protect your property: Clear gutters and drains, secure outdoor belongings, and move valuables away from areas vulnerable to flooding. Review your insurance coverage, as standard homeowners and renters policies generally do not cover flood damage. Most new National Flood Insurance Program policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, although exceptions apply. Learn more at floodsmart.gov.
Avoid flooded roads: Never drive through flooded roadways. Floodwaters can be deeper than they appear, and even shallow moving water can sweep vehicles away. Follow posted road closures and use alternate routes.
Take advantage of free sandbags: The City has expanded sandbag availability at three self-service locations:
Alameda Point: Lexington Street and West Hope Street
Washington Park: 1300 8th Street
Grandview Pavilion: 300 Island Drive on Bay Farm Island
Pre-filled sandbags are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of five per resident, while supplies last. Residents may also bring their own bags to fill using sand available at each location.
For more information about community meetings, sandbag locations, and winter storm preparedness, visit www.alamedaca.gov/READY.
Residents may also email BeAlamedaReady@alamedaca.gov or call 510-337-2236.
Be Alameda Ready!