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How to Prepare for El Niño in California
A California homeowner's checklist: your risk, insurance, drains, trees, alerts and bags.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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The call that's easy to skip is the one to your insurance agent. Ask what your policy covers for flood, mudflow, landslide, sewer or drain backup, fallen trees, and rain through a damaged roof, because those get treated differently. ASMRC notes that a new National Flood Insurance Program policy typically takes up to 30 days to start. Then comes the yard, which at least one town sets a date for: Los Altos Hills encourages owners to finish drainage and tree checks by October 2026. The list is for California homeowners and renters before storm season. It leaves out recovery help, such as FEMA aid and property-tax relief.
Why these items are on the list
- Check your risk on MyHazards. Pair it with FEMA flood maps to see the flood risk for your address.
- Ask your agent about water losses. Flood, mudflow, landslide, sewer backup, fallen trees and roof rain can each be treated differently.
- Ask about mudflow and landslide. One real estate advisor notes mudflow may fall under flood coverage, while landslide counts as earth movement.
- Get a flood insurance quote. ASMRC notes that most homeowners policies don't cover flood damage, and an NFIP policy can take up to 30 days to start.
- Ask about private flood options. Private flood policies may have different requirements from an NFIP policy, so ask your agent.
- Clear private storm drains and ditches. Los Altos Hills puts upkeep of drains, swales and culverts on owners; check whether your town asks the same.
- Keep yard waste off drainage areas. Keep yard waste and construction materials away from drains and ditches, as Los Altos Hills' checklist says.
- Look for hillside erosion. Inspect your property for hillside erosion before the rains arrive.
- Check trees for hazardous limbs. Street trees in front of your property count too, if your town makes owners responsible.
- Have overhanging trees assessed. Storms can make an existing weakness in a tree matter more, so have it looked at before the rain.
- Fix known roof problems now. Repair them before rain shows you the problem, rather than waiting for a leak.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. Do it before the first major storm, not after.
- Locate sandbags early. Ask your city, county, fire department or public works for sites near you.
- Sign up for county alerts. County alerts are free and not automatic; Listos and CalAlerts help you find yours.
- Build a go bag. Water, non-perishable food, medications, batteries and a flashlight. ASMRC says to pack enough for at least 3 days.
- Build a stay box. ASMRC says to stock it for at least 3 days.
- Photograph or film each room. Photos or video of each room can help with insurance claims later.
- Watch weather and road conditions. Caltrans QuickMap shows live closures and chain controls; the National Weather Service issues warnings.
- Follow evacuation orders first. When weather turns severe, follow local alerts and evacuation orders before anything else.
- Turn around, don't drown. Turn around and find another way rather than drive into water on the road.
Tick through it a bit at a time on your phone, and let a partner or housemate take the half that's theirs.
When to use it
Use it before storm season, ahead of the first big storm.