Palo Alto City Council
October 7, 2024

Santa Clara County
Multijurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan 2023 Update
City of Palo Alto Annex
February 21, 2024

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8. City of Palo Alto

8.1. Hazard Mitigation Plan Points of Contact
The point of contact during the Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) planning process for the City of Palo Alto was the Emergency Services Coordinator. This annex within the MJHMP was developed using information provided by the City of Palo Alto’s Local Planning Team.

Table 1: City of Palo Alto Local Planning Team Members for the 2023 Santa Cara County MJHMP
Name Position Department Role on Team and in Planning
Process
Nathan Rainey Office of
Emergency
Services
Coordinator
City of Palo Alto-
Office of
Emergency
Services
General oversight, hazard
identification, and plan development
Michel Jeremias Senior Engineer City of Palo Alto-
Public Works
Hazard identification and plan
development
Rajeev Hada Project Engineer,
Floodplain
Administrator
City of Palo Alto-
Public Works
Hazard identification and plan
development
Karin North Assistant Director City of Palo Alto-
Public Works
Hazard identification and plan
development
Holly Boyd Assistant Director City of Palo Alto-
Public Works
Hazard identification and plan
development
Lam Do Superintendent City of Palo Alto-
Community
Services
Hazard identification and plan
development
Lisa Meyers Manager,
Supervising
Ranger
City of Palo Alto-
Community
Services
Hazard identification and plan
development
Chitra Moitra Planner City of Palo Alto-
Planning and
Development
Services
Hazard identification and plan
development
Christine Luong Manager,
Environmental
Control Program
City of Palo Alto-
City Manager’s
Office
Hazard identification and plan
development
Ken Dueker Chief, Office of
Emergency
Services
City of Palo Alto-
Office of
Emergency
Services
Hazard identification and plan
development
Mike Wong Assistant Director,
Operations
City of Palo Alto-
Public Works
Hazard identification and plan
development
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 4
Name Position Department Role on Team and in Planning
Process
Brad Eggleston Director City of Palo Alto-
Public Works
Hazard identification and plan
development
Dean Batchelor Director City of Palo Alto-
Utilities
Hazard identification and plan
development
Daren Anderson Assistant Director City of Palo Alto-
Community
Services
Hazard identification and plan
development
Darren Numoto Director City of Palo Alto-
Information
Technology
Hazard identification and plan
development
Tomm Marshal Assistant Director,
Electric
City of Palo Alto-
Utilities
Hazard identification and plan
development
Matt Zucca Assistant Director,
Water, Gas,
Wastewater
City of Palo Alto-
Utilities
Hazard identification and plan
development
Andrew Binder Chief City of Palo Alto-
Police
Hazard identification and plan
development
Geo Blackshire Chief City of Palo Alto-
Fire
Hazard identification and plan
development
Kiely Nose Assistant City
Manager
City of Palo Alto-
City Manager’s
Office
Hazard identification and plan
development
Philip Kamhi Chief
Transportation
Officer
City of Palo Alto-
Office of
Transportation
Hazard identification and plan
development
Amy French Chief Planning
Official
City of Palo Alto-
Planning and
Development
Services
Hazard identification and plan
development
Minka Van Der
Zwaag
Human Services
Manager
City of Palo Alto-
Community
Services
Hazard identification and plan
development

The City’s Local Planning Team Members participated in the MJHMP by attending meetings on the Plan Kick-Off, Risk Assessment, Capabilities Assessment, Mitigation Strategy, Wrap-up, and one one-on-one meetings with the planning consultant. In addition, the city filled out the requested forms on each section which were used to develop this annex. The city also shared information regarding public opportunities to participate in the draft plan update utilizing the digital survey and seven in-person and virtual public outreach meetings. Further, the City team was provided the opportunity to review the draft plan prior to submittal to Cal OES and FEMA.

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Table 2: External Stakeholders Invited to Be Involved in Planning Process Agency or Organization Stakeholder Type Description
American Red Cross Representatives of nonprofit
organizations, including
community-based organizations,
that work directly with and/or
provide support to underserved
communities and socially
vulnerable populations, among
others.

A nonprofit humanitarian
organization that provides
emergency assistance, disaster
relief, and disaster
preparedness education in the
United States.

Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES)
Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

A corps of trained amateur radio
operator volunteers organized to
assist in public service and
emergency communications.

California Office of Emergency
Services (Cal OES)
Local and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation
activities.

Office responsible for
overseeing and coordinating
emergency preparedness,
response, recovery, and
homeland security activities
within the state.

California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection
Local and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation
activities.

The fire department of the
California Natural Resources
Agency.

California Department of
Transportation
Agencies that have the authority
to regulate development.

An executive department of the
U.S. state of California.

Cattlemen’s Association Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

A nonprofit trade association
that represents California's
ranchers and beef producers in
political affairs.

City of East Palo Alto Neighboring communities. A city in San Mateo County, California, United States.

City of Menlo Park Neighboring communities. Menlo Park is a city at the eastern edge of San Mateo
County.

Cooper-Garrod Estate
Vineyards
Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

Garrod Farms is a family-owned
and operated estate winery and
stables.

Department of Homeland
Security
Agencies that have the authority
to regulate development.

The U.S. federal executive
department responsible for
public security, roughly
comparable to the interior or
home ministries of other
countries.

Department of Toxic
Substances
Agencies that have the authority
to regulate development.

An agency of the government of
the state of California which
protects public health and the
environment from hazardous
waste.

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Agency or Organization Stakeholder Type Description
Department of Toxic
Substances
Agencies that have the authority
to regulate development.

An agency of the government of
the state of California that
protects public health and the
environment from hazardous
waste.

Downtown Streets Team Representatives of nonprofit
organizations, including
community-based organizations,
that work directly with and/or
provide support to underserved
communities and socially
vulnerable populations.

Teams that restore dignity,
inspire hope, and provide a
pathway to recover from
homelessness.

Emergency Medical Services Agencies that have the authority to regulate development.

Provides statewide coordination
and leadership for the planning,
development, and
implementation of
local EMS systems.

Emergency Services Volunteer
Representative
Local and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation
activities.

Organization that ensures public
safety, security, and health by
addressing and resolving
different emergencies.

Federal Aviation Administration Agencies that have the authority to regulate development.

Offers civil aviation safety
enforcement services.

Google Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

American multinational
technology company focusing
on artificial intelligence, online
advertising, search engine
technology, cloud computing,
computer software, quantum
computing, e-commerce, and
consumer electronics.

Hidden Villa Farm Representatives of nonprofit
organizations, including
community-based organizations,
that work directly with and/or
provide support to underserved
communities and socially
vulnerable populations, among
others.

Nonprofit educational
organization teaching programs
on environmental and
multicultural awareness.

Intel Corporation Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

An American multinational
corporation and technology
company headquartered in
Santa Clara, California.

Kaiser Permanente—Santa
Clara
Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

An American integrated
managed care consortium.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 7
Agency or Organization Stakeholder Type Description
Life Moves Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

Provides interim housing and
supportive services for
homeless families and
individuals to rapidly return to
stable housing.

Los Altos School District Representatives of businesses, academia, and other private
organizations.

Los Altos School District serves
the elementary and intermediate
educational needs of Los Altos,
Los Altos Hills, Mountain View
and Palo Alto, United States.

Moffett Field Ames Research
Center, National Aeronautics
and Space Administration
(NASA)
Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

Major NASA research center
at Moffett Federal Airfield in
California's Silicon Valley.

National Weather Service,
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)
Agencies that have the authority
to regulate development.

Scientific and regulatory agency
within the U.S. Department of
Commerce.

Pacheco Pass Water District Neighboring communities. Independent special water district.

Palo Alto Chamber of
Commerce
Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.
an association of
businesspeople designed to
promote and protect the
interests of its members in Palo
Alto.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation Representatives of businesses, academia, and other private
organizations, and neighboring
communities.

A not-for-profit health care
organization with medical offices
in more than 15 cities in the Bay
Area.

Palo Alto Planning and
Transportation Commission
Local and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation
activities.

Responsible for making
recommendations to City
Council regarding development,
public facilities, and
transportation.

Palo Alto Unified School District Representatives of businesses, academia, and other private
organizations, and neighboring
communities.

A public school district located
near in Palo Alto, California.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Representatives of businesses, academia, and other private
organizations, and neighboring
communities.

One of the largest combination
natural gas and electric utilities
in the United States.

Ravenswood Family Health
Center
Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

A federally qualified health
center headquartered in the low-
income East Palo Alto area of
San Mateo County.

Regional Water Quality Control
Board
Agencies that have the authority
to regulate development.

Provides government regulatory
services related to water
pollution and control.

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Agency or Organization Stakeholder Type Description
Rotating Safe Car Park Local and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation
activities, and neighboring
communities.

Allows for temporary overnight
parking for homeless individuals
or families living out of their
cars as a safe alternative to
sleeping on the streets or in a
homeless shelter.

Santa Clara County CERT Representatives of nonprofit
organizations, including
community-based organizations,
that work directly with and/or
provide support to underserved
communities and socially
vulnerable populations.

Trains residents to prepare for
and respond to life-threatening
events in their community.

Santa Clara County FireSafe
Council
Representatives of nonprofit
organizations, including
community-based organizations,
that work directly with and/or
provide support to underserved
communities and socially
vulnerable populations.

A nonprofit, grassroots
organization that provides
education and project
assistance for homeowners.

Santa Clara County Local
Oversight Program
Local and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation
activities.

Program to oversee assessment
and mitigation of contaminated
sites to protect groundwater
resources, human health,
safety, and the environment.

Santa Clara County Parks Agencies that have the authority to regulate development, and
neighboring communities.

Provide, protect, and preserve
regional parklands for the
enjoyment and education.

Santa Clara County Planning &
Development
Agencies that have the authority
to regulate development, and
neighboring communities.

Plays a key role in supporting
economic development and
ensuring opportunities for the
public to participate in
land development.

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s
Office
Agencies that have the authority
to regulate development, and
neighboring communities.

A local law enforcement agency
that serves Santa Clara County,
California.

Santa Clara University Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

A private Jesuit university in
Santa Clara, California.

Santa Clara Valley Open Space
Authority
Neighboring communities. An independent special district in Santa Clara County.

Santa Cruz County Neighboring communities. A county on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 9
Agency or Organization Stakeholder Type Description
St. Louise Hospital (Santa Clara
County Hospital System)
Representatives of nonprofit
organizations, including
community-based organizations,
that work directly with and/or
provide support to underserved
communities and socially
vulnerable populations.

Community hospital.

Stanford Healthcare Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations, and neighboring
communities.

Multispecialty clinic that
provides convenient access to
advanced, specialty care in the
South Bay.

Vista Center for the Blind and
Visually Impaired
Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

Empowers individuals who
are blind or visually impaired to
embrace life to the fullest
through evaluation, counseling,
education, and training.

Westwind Barn Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations.

State-of-the-art horse boarding
and training facility.

County of Santa Clara Neighboring jurisdiction, local
agency involved in hazard
mitigation.

Response for engaging the
whole community in assessing
needs and developing strategies
to achieve stronger mitigation
capabilities within the Santa
Clara County Operational Area.

City of Campbell Neighboring communities. A city in Santa Clara County.

City of Cupertino Neighboring communities. Located in Silicon Valley.

City of Gilroy Neighboring communities. A city in Santa Clara County.

City of Los Altos Neighboring communities. A city in Santa Clara County.

Town of Los Altos Hills Neighboring communities. A city in Santa Clara County.

Town of Los Gatos Neighboring communities. A city in Santa Clara County.

City of Milpitas Neighboring communities. A city in Santa Clara County.

City of Morgan Hill Neighboring communities. A city in Santa Clara County.

City of Mountain View Neighboring communities. A city in Santa Clara County.

City of San José Neighboring communities. Located in Silicon Valley.

City of Santa Clara Neighboring communities. A city near San Jose, in California’s Silicon Valley.

City of Saratoga Neighboring communities. Located in Silicon Valley.

City of Sunnyvale Neighboring communities. Located in the Santa Clara Valley.

Santa Clara County Fire
Department
Local and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation
activities, and neighboring
communities.

A California Fire Protection
District serving Santa Clara
County.

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Agency or Organization Stakeholder Type Description
Santa Clara Valley Water
District
Representatives of businesses,
academia, and other private
organizations, and neighboring
communities.

Provides stream stewardship,
wholesale water supply, and
flood protection for Santa Clara
County, California.

The City supported a “whole community” approach to this plan update. Neighboring communities, local and regional agencies involved in mitigation activities, agencies that have the authority to regulate development as well as businesses, academia, and other private and nonprofit interests were invited to be involved in the planning process by participating in planning meetings, public meetings, or reviewing the draft plan. In addition to the wide variety of stakeholders identified by the County, other stakeholders the City of Palo Alto recommended including included the Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission, San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, Stanford Universit y, Stanford Healthcare, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Emergency Services Volunteer Representatives, Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, City of East Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park, Palo Alto Unified School District, Life Moves, Avenidas, Downtown Streets Team, Ravenswood Family Health Center, and Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Additional stakeholders that were able to participate are included in Volume 1 of this plan.

8.1.1. Public Outreach and Engagement
In addition to inviting a wide range of stakeholders, the City supported public outreach and engagement through distributing a digital survey utilizing social media. This survey reached members of underserved populations, including primarily non-English speaking households.

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Figure 1: City of Palo Alto Public Outreach Survey Input Request

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Figure 2: City of Palo Alto Uplift Newsletter

In addition, the MJHMP was discussed at two virtual and five in-person public meetings across Santa Clara County. These in-person meetings were targeted towards areas with socially vulnerably populations. These meetings were also designed to be accessible for AFN (access and functional needs) populations. The public was also provided the opportunity to comment on the draft plan. Comments from the public survey were reviewed, evaluated for alignment with planning priorities, and incorporated as appropriate. Notable hazards of concern to the public included flooding, extreme heat, wildfire (including wildfire smoke), as well as some mentions of drought. In particular, flood control around Palo Alto was mentioned as a possible mitigation measure, as well as partnership building especially with utility providers. Overall, there was also significant discussion on the need for additional public outreach and education. This feedback is reflected in the mitigation actions Palo Alto has selected.

The participation of the City of Palo Alto and its stakeholders helped inform the development of the MJHMP and this annex in accordance with current priorities. The new plan continues to expand upon the work of the prior plan including emphasizing partnerships both within jurisdictions and special districts as well as with external stakeholders. Further, there is an increased emphasis on climate change, reflecting the increased understanding of the risk this hazard poses to the OA. The City did not identify additional changes in priorities to be highlighted in their annex.

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8.2. Jurisdiction Profile
The following is a summary of key information about the jurisdiction and its history:
 Date of Incorporation: April 23, 1894
 Current Population: The City has a population of 66,010 as of July 2022 according to the U.S.

Census Bureau.
 Population Growth: Palo Alto’s population has increased only slightly during the last 30 years compared to Santa Clara County as a whole. The number of residents increased by 4.7 percent from 55,966 in 1970 to 58,598 in 2000, and 9.9 percent between 2000 and 2010 (U.S. Censu s 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010). It increased from 64,403 in 2010 to 68,572 according to the 2020 U.S. Census, but decreased slightly to 66,010 in 2022, a decrease of 0.02%. The average persons per household have remained fairly steady from 2.7 in 1970 to 2.61 in 2021, while the number of housing units have increased.

Although 50 percent of Palo Alto’s population is White, the City is becoming more ethnically diverse. Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islanders comprise 35.2 percent, while 0.3 percent are American Indian/Alaska Native, 7 percent are Hispanic, 2.1 percent are Black, and

7.2 percent identify themselves as some other race or two or more races.

The median age of Palo Alto’s population has increased dramatically over the last few decades.

In 1970, the median age was 29.5 for men and 33.7 for women. By 1990, these figures had increased to 36.7 and 40.0, respectively. In the year 2000, the median age for the entire population of Palo Alto was 40.2 years, which is considerably higher than the County median age of 34 years, and in 2010 it rose further to 41.9 years. The increase in median age has been accompanied by an increase in Palo Alto’s senior population; the number of people over 65 increased from 10 to 18.5 percent of the population between 1970 and 2021. The number of older adults is expected to continue to increase in the future. At the other end of the age spectrum, the number of children under five has increased significantly over the last two decades and has resulted in an increase in the number of children entering childcare and school. However, the number of women of childbearing age has decreased markedly after increasing during the 1980s and 1990s, and the middle-aged population has increased significantly, indicating that Palo Alto will continue to grow older during the next decade.
 Location and Description: Part of the metropolitan San Francisco Bay Area and the Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is located within Santa Clara County and borders San Mateo County. The City’s boundaries extend from San Francisco Bay on the east to the Skyline Ridge of the coastal mountains on the west, with Menlo Park to the north, and Mountain View to the south. The City encompasses an area of approximately 26 square miles, of which one-third is open space. The City shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Portola Valley, and portions of unincorporated San Mateo County and Santa Clara County (including the unincorporated areas of Cupertino and Saratoga in the foothills). It is named after a redwood tree called El Palo Alto. The City includes portions of Stanford University and its affiliates, is headquarters to a number of Silicon Valley high-technology companies, including Hewlett-Packard, VMware, Tesla Motors, SAP and Palantir and has served as an incubator to several other high-technology companies, such as Google, Facebook, Logitech, Intuit, and PayPal.

A blend of business and residential neighborhoods, anchored by a vibrant downtown, defines Palo Alto’s unique character. A charming mixture of old and new, Palo Alto’s tree -lined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage. At the same time, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting edge development, as a quintessential part of Silicon Valley.  Brief History: Palo Alto was incorporated in 1894 and received its name from the tall landmark Redwood tree, El Palo Alto, which still grows on the east bank of San Francisquito Creek across from Menlo Park. One trunk of the twin-trunked tree can still be found by the railroad trestle near Alma Street in El Palo Alto Park.

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Leland Stanford Junior University opened to 465 students in 1891, as a memorial by Leland and Jane Stanford to their son who died in 1884 while traveling in Europe. Stanford University played a significant role in the development of the Palo Alto landscape; it has since grown into a world- renowned teaching and research university with more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

In 1925 the town of Mayfield, the original settlement that developed in the area in 1853, was annexed to the larger Palo Alto. In the decades that followed, Palo Alto continued to expand southward reaching the border it currently shares with Mountain View.

The population more than doubled from 25,000 to 55,000 residents by 1960, and since then has increased to roughly 68,000 today. During these boom years Palo Alto was transformed from agricultural fields to urban forest and became the birthplace of the Silicon Valley  Climate: Typical of the San Francisco Bay Area, Palo Alto has a Mediterranean Climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Typically, in the warmer months, as the sun goes down, the fog bank flows over the foothills to the west and covers the night sky, th us creating a blanket that helps trap the summer warmth absorbed during the day.

The record high temperature was 107 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) on June 15, 1961, and the record low temperature was 15 °F on November 17, 2003. Temperatures reach 90 °F or higher on an average of 9.9 days. Temperatures drop to 32 °F or lower on an average of 16.1 days.

Due to the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, there is a "rain shadow" in Palo Alto, resulting in an average annual rainfall of only 15.32 inches (389 mm). Measurable rainfall occurs on an average of 57 days annually. The wettest year on record was 1983 with 32.51 inches (826 mm) and the driest year was 1976 with 7.34 inches (186 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 12.43 inches (316 mm) in February 1998 and the most rainfall in one day was 3.75 inches (95 mm) on February 3, 1998. Measurable snowfall is very rare in Palo Alto, but 1.5 inches (38 mm) fell on January 21, 1962.
 Governing Body Format: Palo Alto is a Charter City and has a council-manager form of government in which the seven-member, popularly elected City Council appoints the City Manager, who in turn oversees a dynamic Executive Leadership Team in the operation of thirteen departments employing 1,000 staff. This vibrant organization enjoys a strong, collaborative, and open environment. The Fiscal Year 2023 citywide operations budget amounts to $965.9 million, with a General Fund budget of $247.4 million, and a Capital Budget of $379.5 million. The City Council assumes responsibility for the adoption of this plan, the Office of Emergency Services, on behalf of the City Manager, will oversee its implementation.

8.3. Development Trends
According to the City’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan, Palo Alto covers almost 26 square miles (16,627 acres) of land, about a third of which is open space, including 34 city-owned parks and 1,700 acres of protected Baylands. The City has 35 different neighborhoods and is composed of connected commercial centers and business districts. With a steady growing population and large employers such as Stanford University, Stanford Healthcare, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, VMWare, SAP Labs, Space Systems Loral, and more, the City is expected to continue growing.

The City of Palo Alto has increased its population since the previous plan was developed, thereby increasing its vulnerability to seismic activity, climate change, fire, and flooding. Palo Alto has and will continue to monitor the vulnerability of its population through restriction of major development in the foothills area, enforcing building Code seismic restrictions for all construction, attaining in -depth soil reports, retrofitting and upgrades of structures, and enforcement of building requirements.

Table 128 summarizes development trends in the performance period since the development of the previous hazard mitigation plan and expected future development trends.

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Table 3: Recent and Expected Future Development Trends
Criterion Response
Has your jurisdiction annexed any
land since the development of the
previous hazard mitigation plan?
 If yes, give the estimated area
annexed and estimated number of
parcels or structures.

No
Is your jurisdiction expected to annex
any areas during the performance
period of this plan?
 If yes, please describe land areas
and dominant uses.
 If yes, who currently has permitting
authority over these areas?

No
Are any areas targeted for
development or major redevelopment
in the next five years?
 If yes, please briefly describe,
including whether any of the areas
are in known hazard risk areas
The City has two Planned Development Areas (PDA):

Downtown and California Avenue. Transit-oriented
development is encouraged in these areas, and state law adopted in 2022 related to development within ½ mile from major transit stops may result in more major development in these areas. The City is currently working on a
Coordinated Area Plan for the North Ventura area and the Housing Element Update, which contains programs
targeting new areas in Palo Alto for potential housing
development, and it might potentially embark on working a Downtown Housing Plan. All these plans encourage
additional housing development in different parts of the City. As part of the Housing Element, the City proposes to permit high density multifamily residential uses in its General Manufacturing and Research, Office, and Limited Manufacturing zone districts.

Previously, multifamily residential was not a permitted use.

The maximum density is 90 dwelling units per acre.

Coupled with proposed development incentives, there
could be significant development in those districts. The City has received few multifamily development proposals along El Camino corridor, with higher densities. But
ultimately, it is at the discretion of the property owners to propose development projects.

Several residential sites in the foothills area of the City lie within areas with geologic and seismic zones, so any
development there will have seismic risks. However, no
major development would be allowed in the foothills (open space zoning) areas. The City strictly enforces Building Code seismic safety restrictions for all types of
construction. For residential sites within earthquake fault zone areas, in-depth soil reports are required as a part of the development approval process. Although the entire
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Criterion Response
City is subject to moderate to severe earth movement
during a seismic event, standard engineering solutions to mitigate these conditions are enforced. Both Downtown
Palo Alto and North Ventura areas already have existing developments and for the most part will have infill
development. All new developments and redevelopments
in the City are subject to requirements of California
Building codes, including seismic retrofitting and upgrades.

Sites identified in the City’s Housing Element for future housing developments also have similar building code and seismic requirements.

Palo Alto is subject to flooding following unusually heavy rainfall. Flooding is typically associated with overtopping of creek banks, inadequately sized bridges and culverts, and blocked storm drains. Much of the City lies outside the 100-year flood plain boundary defined by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, a
substantial area is subject to flooding in a 100-year storm and designated as a Special Flood Hazard Area on
FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map, with approximately 25- 30 percent of the City within this flood hazard zone.

Structures within this zone must meet certain building
requirements to reduce potential flooding impacts when
expanding or improving property if the improvement cost is greater than 50 percent of the value of the property.

The impacts of global climate change have led to more
drastic weather changes that include heavier and more
frequent rain event storms, droughts that facilitate larger, more intense forest fires, warmer temperatures, and
changes to the jet stream. Therefore, any future
development decisions for Palo Alto will need to consider these impacts throughout the City.

City of Palo Alto is considered to have a wildland/urban interface because it is built within and adjacent to
mountainous areas and has seen an increase in the
number of people living near heavily vegetated areas
where wildlands meet urban development. A fire along the wildland urban interface (WUI) can result in major losses of property and structures unless adequate protection
measures have been provided. Chapter 7A of the
California Building Code (CBC) and Chapter R337 of the
California Residential Code (CRC) contain standards
associated with the construction of buildings in wildfire prone areas. The City of Palo Alto recognizes and refers to both the CBC and CRC in the design and approval
process for housing developments. Fuel, topography, and weather also impact fire risks in Palo Alto. Palo Alto’s hilly topography in the South portion of the City has led to
residential construction near mountainsides and in
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Criterion Response
canyons. Homes built in steep, narrow canyons and at
canyon rims face an increased fire risk.

How many building permits were
issued in your jurisdiction since the
development of the previous hazard
mitigation plan?
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total
Number
of
Permits
89 54 107 178 212 128
Please provide the number of permits
for each hazard area or provide a
qualitative description of where
development has occurred.

The majority of permits occur in the urbanized area of Palo Alto, which corresponds primarily to earthquake hazards, but also to heavy rain, heavy winds, and extreme
temperatures. A small number of permits can be
associated with development in the Foothills, which
corresponds to the City’s wildfire hazard.

Please describe the level of buildout in
the jurisdiction, based on your
jurisdiction’s buildable lands
inventory. If no such inventory exists,
provide a qualitative description.

Palo Alto is 99% built out.

8.4. Capability Assessment

8.4.1. Resources for the 2023 Planning Initiative
The following technical reports, plans, and regulatory mechanisms were reviewed to provide information for inclusion into the 2023 Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for both Volume 1 and Volume 2 (City of Palo Alto Annex). All the below items were additionally reviewed as part of the full capability assessment for the City of Palo Alto.
 City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan was reviewed for information regarding goals and policies consistent with hazard mitigation for carry over as goals and objectives. Additionally, development trends from the Land Use section of the Comprehensive Plan informed the development section of this annex. The Economic Development Plan and Transportation Plan can also be found within this document.  City of Palo Alto Municipal Code: The Municipal Code was reviewed for the full capability assessment and for identifying opportunities for action plan integration.  Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance: The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance was reviewed for compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program.  Capital Improvements Plan: The Capital Improvements Plan was reviewed to identify cross- planning initiatives for inclusion as mitigation projects.  State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan: The state plan was helpful for reviewing goals and also in assessing hazards.
 County of Santa Clara and City of Palo Alto Local Hazards Mitigation Plan: The previous LHMP provided a baseline of information for the writing of this document.  City of Palo Alto Emergency Operations Plan: The Storm Drain Master Plan was reviewed to inform the jurisdictional profile as well as a source of mitigation actions.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 18
 City of Palo Alto Urban Water Management Plan: The Storm Drain Master Plan was reviewed to inform the jurisdictional profile as well as a source of mitigation actions.  Palo Alto Threats and Hazards Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA): The THIRA helped to inform the hazard analysis portion of this plan, as well as a source for mitigation actions.
 Palo Alto Energy Assurance Plan: The Energy Assurance Plan provided information for the jurisdiction profile as well as a source for mitigation actions.  Sustainability / Climate Adaptation Plan: This plan provided information for the hazards analysis as well as identification of mitigation actions.  Foothills Wildfire Management Plan / Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan: These plans informed the hazards analysis as well as identifying wildfire mitigation actions.

8.4.2. Full Capability Assessment
An assessment of legal and regulatory capabilities is presented in Table 129 and Table 130. An assessment of fiscal capabilities is presented in Table 131. An assessment of staffing capabilities is presented in Table 132. An assessment of administrative and technical capabilities is presented in Table 133. Information on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) compliance is presented in Table 134. An assessment of education and outreach capabilities is presented in Table 135. Classifications under various community mitigation programs are presented in Table 136. Development and permitting capabilities are presented in Table 137, and the community’s adaptive capacity for the impacts of climate change is presented in Table 138.

Table 4: Legal and Regulatory Capabilities: Codes, Ordinances, and Requirements Legal and
Regulatory
Capability
Local
Authority
Other
Jurisdiction
Authority
State
Mandated
Integration
Opportunity?
Building Code Yes Yes Yes No
Comment: The City has adopted the 2022 California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2, Volumes 1 & 2 adopted and amended.

Zoning
Ordinance
Yes Yes Yes No
Comment: Municipal Code, Title 18, Passed December 12, 2022 Subdivision
Ordinance
Yes No No No
Comment: Municipal Code, Title 21, Effective June 13, 2016 Stormwater
Management
Ordinance
No No No No
Comment: None Identified.

Other Natural
Hazard-
Specific
Ordinances
Yes Yes No No
Comment: City Code, Chapter 16.42, Chapter 16.52, and Chapter 15.04.420 Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 19
Legal and
Regulatory
Capability
Local
Authority
Other
Jurisdiction
Authority
State
Mandated
Integration
Opportunity?
Post-Disaster
Recovery
No No No No
Comment: None Identified.

Real Estate
Disclosure
No No Yes Yes
Comment: Cal. Civ. Code §1102 et seq.

Growth
Management
Yes Yes Yes No
Comment: Growth management falls under Palo Alto’s 2022 Zoning Regulations and is more discreetly addressed in the City’s Comprehensive Plan; Cal. Gov. Code §65300 et seq Site Plan
Review
Yes Yes Yes No
Comment: Site Plan review falls under Palo Alto’s 2022 Zoning Regulations and is well practiced in the permitting process.

Environmental
Protection
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: Ordinance 5107, 13 December 2010, to provide green building standards and environmental protections; California Environmental Quality Act (Guideline: California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Sections 15000–15387); 2022 Proposed Green Building and Local Energy Codes.

Flood Damage
Prevention
Yes Yes No No
Comment: Municipal Code, Chapter 16.52 effective June 13, 2016 Emergency
Management
Yes Yes Yes No
Comment: Municipal Code, Chapter 16.52 effective June 13, 2016 Climate
Change
Yes Yes No No
Comment: Ordinance No. 5345, 31 August 2015, to comply with California Energy Code 2013 edition; California SB-379: Land Use: General Plan: Safety Element Acquisition of
land for open
space and
public
recreation
uses
N/A
Comment: Palo Alto is almost 100% built out; the City has extensive open spaces and parks.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 20
Table 5: Planning, Legal, and Regulatory Capabilities
Planning, Legal, or Regulatory
Capability
Local
Authority
Other
Jurisdiction
Authority
State
Mandated
Integration
Opportunity?
General Plan Yes No Yes No
Is the plan compliant with Assembly Bill 2140? Yes
Comment: 2030 Comprehensive Plan.

Capital Improvement Plan Yes Yes Yes Yes
How often is the plan updated? Five years
Comment: The 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Program Plan for the City of Palo Alto guides the City in the planning and scheduling of infrastructure improvement projects over the five year period.

Annually, the City publishes a Capital Improvement Program budget to guide annual funding of scheduled projects.

Floodplain or Watershed Plan No Yes No Yes
Comment: Santa Clara Valley Water District
Stormwater Management Plan Yes No No No
Comment: Included in the City’s municipal code for Stormwater Pollution Protection Urban Water Management Plan Yes No Yes No
Comment: The 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP)
Habitat Conservation Plan No Yes No Yes
Comment: 2013 – Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan
Green Infrastructure Plan No No No No
Comment: None Identified.

Parks or Open Space Plan Yes No No No
Comment: Parks and Open Space is also addressed in the Natural Element and Community Services Element of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.

Economic Development Plan No No No No
Comment: The primary considerations for this are included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Transportation Plan Yes Yes No No
Comment: Transportation is covered in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, Transportation Element.

Shoreline Management Plan Yes No No No
Comment: Baylands Master Plan 2008. The 2008 plan is an information update with the goal of producing an up-to-date record of Council approved policies and actions in the Baylands. It includes the history, environmental setting and adopted planning goals and policies for the Baylands area.

Baylands Comprehensive Conservation Plan. Palo Alto is currently preparing this plan. It will address future management of the Baylands including conservation, recreation, and visitor use for the next 15 years and beyond.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan Yes Yes No Yes
Comment: Palo Alto is a part of the Santa Clara County CWPP. It is currently being updated.

Urban Forest Management Plan Yes No No No
Comment: 2019 - The purpose of the plan is to establish long-term management goals and strategies to foster a sustainable urban forest in Palo Alto. It was developed using an inter-departmental team of staff in conjunction with Canopy and community partners.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 21
Planning, Legal, or Regulatory
Capability
Local
Authority
Other
Jurisdiction
Authority
State
Mandated
Integration
Opportunity?
Climate Action Plan Yes No No Yes
Comment: 2022 – In 2020, the City started to update the City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) to develop the strategies needed to meet the City’s sustainability goals, include the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2030. Parts of the plan were updated again in 2022.

Local Emergency Operations Plan Yes No No Yes
Comment: 2016 - The Palo Alto Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) identifies the City’s emergency planning, organization, and response policies and procedures.

Threat and Hazard Identification and
Risk Assessment (THIRA)
Yes Yes No
(Partial)
No
Comment: City of Palo Alto THIRA, 2017
Post-Disaster Recovery Plan No No No Yes
Comment: None Identified.

Continuity of Operations Plan Yes No No No
Comment: Palo Alto completed Continuity of Governance/Continuity of Operations planning in 2017; the manner with which this is managed is currently being reviewed to determine how best to maintain this function.

Public Health Plan No Yes Yes No
Comment: The Santa Clara County Department of Public Health has responsibility for public health planning across the County.

Other: Yes Yes No Yes
Comment: WUI/Foothills Fire Management Plan: This plan was updated in 2016.

Table 6: Financial Capabilities
Financial Capability Could the resource be
used to fund future
mitigation activities?
Has the funding resource been
used in the past for mitigation
activities? If yes, for what type
of mitigation activities?
Community Development
Block Grants
Yes No
Other Federal Funding
Programs
Yes No
Capital Improvements Project
Funding
Yes Yes
Authority to Levy Taxes for
Specific Purposes
Yes No
User Fees for Water, Sewer,
Gas or Electric Services
Yes Yes, CIP projects for Utilities and
Public Works departments
Stormwater Utility Fee Yes Yes, storm drain masterplan CIP projects. Green Stormwater
Infrastructure.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 22
Financial Capability Could the resource be
used to fund future
mitigation activities?
Has the funding resource been
used in the past for mitigation
activities? If yes, for what type
of mitigation activities?
Incur Debt through General
Obligation Bonds
Yes Yes
Incur Debt through Special
Tax Bonds
Yes Yes, the improvement of public-
school facilities, and other
infrastructure improvements.

Incur Debt through Private
Activity Bonds
No Yes, for the construction of a new
Public Safety building.

Withhold Public Expenditures
in Hazard-Prone Areas
Yes No
State Funding Programs Yes Yes, improving public safety resources and systems, and
advancing infrastructure
development projects.

Development Impact Fees for
Homebuyers or Developers
Yes No
Public or Private Partnership
Funding Sources
Yes No
Other Funding Sources Yes No

Table 7: Staffing Capabilities
Staffing Capability Have Capability? Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on
natural hazards
and mitigation?
Chief Building Official  Yes
 Full time
 Planning and
Development Services
Department
Yes Yes
Parks and Recreation
Director
 Yes
 Full time
 Department of
Community Services
Open Space & Parks
Yes Yes
Emergency Manager  Yes
 Full time
 Office of Emergency
Services
No Yes
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 23
Staffing Capability Have Capability? Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on
natural hazards
and mitigation?
Community Planner  Yes
 Full time
 Department of
Planning &
Development,
Department of
Community Services
Open Space & Parks
No No
Civil Engineer  Yes
 Full time
 Department of Public
Works, Department of
Planning &
Development
No Yes
Engineers or
professionals
trained in building or
infrastructure
construction practices
 Yes
 Full time
 The City does not
have one Civil
Engineer, it has a
public works director,
and an engineering
department of
Professional
Engineers. The Public
Works Director acts as
the City’s Civil
Engineer designate.

No Yes
Planners or engineers
with knowledge of land
development and land
management practices
 Yes
 Full time
 Planning &
Community
Environment –
Planner, Community &
Services Department
– Open Space Ranger
No No
Planners or engineers
with an understanding
of natural hazards
 Yes
 Full time
 Public Works -
Engineer,
Development Services
– Building Inspector
Yes Yes
Surveyors  Yes
 Full time
 Public Works
Yes
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 24
Staffing Capability Have Capability? Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on
natural hazards
and mitigation?
GIS Coordinator or
personnel skilled or
trained in GIS
applications
 Yes
 Full time
 Information
Technology
Yes No
Public Works Director  Yes
 Full time
 Department of Public
Works
Yes Yes
Fire Chief  Yes
 Full time
 Palo Alto Fire
Department
Yes Yes
Environmental Director  Yes
 Full time
 Public Works,
Environmental
Services
Yes Yes
Staff with training in
benefit/cost analysis
 Yes
 Full time
 Administrative
Services, Accounting
Division
Yes Yes
Scientist familiar with
natural hazards in local
area
 Yes
 Full time
 U.S.GS, NWS
Yes No

Table 8: Administrative and Technical Capabilities
Administrative or Technical
Capability
Have Capability? Has the capability been used to
assess or mitigate risk in the past? If
yes, what type of hazard event?
Maintenance programs to
reduce risk
Yes Multiple maintenance programs
executed through the Department of
Public Works. Also, the City Utilities
Department maintains Electric, Water,
Gas, and Wastewater systems.

Mutual aid agreements Yes Palo Alto participates in the statewide, California Master Mutual Aid Agreement
for public safety services.

Hazard data and information Yes Yes, flooding and creek monitoring.

Hazus analysis or GIS
software
Yes Yes, flooding and creek monitoring.

Grant writing Yes (Contracted) Yes, grants for all hazards.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 25
Administrative or Technical
Capability
Have Capability? Has the capability been used to
assess or mitigate risk in the past? If
yes, what type of hazard event?
Does your jurisdiction have
any established warning
systems or services for
hazard events?
Yes AlertSCC. Alerts are sent directly to your
mobile device, landline, and/or email.

Alerts for fire, earthquake, Heavy rain,
heavy winds, extreme temperatures,
crime, and instructions during a disaster.

Table 9: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Compliance Topic Response
What department in your jurisdiction is
responsible for floodplain management?
Department of Public Works
Who acts as your jurisdiction’s floodplain
administrator?
Public Works Engineer
Is the floodplain administrator or NFIP
Coordinator certified?
Yes
Is floodplain management an auxiliary
function in your jurisdiction?
No
What is the date of adoption of your flood
damage prevention ordinance?
2004
Do floodplain development regulations meet
or exceed FEMA or state minimum
requirements? If regulations exceed
requirements, in what ways?
Yes
How are the substantial
improvement/substantial damage provisions
implemented?
The substantial improvement and substantial
damage definitions for the city meet the standard
definitions given by the NFIP. In addition to
assessments post event, permit review can be
used to track substantial improvement/substantial
damage. The Floodplain Administrator is
responsible for reviewing all development permits.

The local permit official is responsible for making
substantial improvement/substantial damage
using permit information. The closer to 50%
market value the improvements are, the greater
the need for precision. If the improvement is
estimated to be between 40-60% of the market
value, additional information may be requested
from the permit applicant or owner. Community
members interested in learning more about these
provisions can find further information on the city’s
website at
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Public-
Works/Engineering-Services/Floodplain-
Management/Substantial-Damage-and-
Improvement.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 26
Topic Response
Provide an explanation of the permitting
process for development within the floodplain.

See the Palo Alto Municipal Code, 16.52.10
Does your floodplain management program
meet or exceed minimum requirements?
Yes
When did your jurisdiction enter the NFIP? September 19, 1984 Is your jurisdiction in good standing with the
NFIP?
Yes
Are the jurisdiction’s Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRMs) digital, paper, or both?
Digital
Adopted effective maps dated 5/18/2009
Explanation of NFIP administration services
within your jurisdiction.

Before building plans are processed for approval,
Public Works Engineering Technicians does a
flood zone screening checklist. The purpose of the
check list is to determine the flood zone
designation, base flood elevation and all the
construction regulations that the homeowner
needs to comply to build a structure in a flood
zone. The City has a flood zone look up on the
City’s website. Public Works Engineering
Technicians can provide the flood zone
designation and the base flood elevation of the
properties to homeowners.

FEMA 100-year flood maps are available on the
City’s GIS. City’s GIS can show parcel boundaries
along with the flood zone and flooding boundaries.

The City has FEMA certified Flood Plain Manager
(CFM) and staff that can assist homeowners on
the requirements to build a structure in a FEMA
designated 100 year flood zone, Which includes
LOMA, CLOMA, Flood Proofing Certificate,
Elevation Certificate, etc. Public Works Inspectors
inspects, reviews and signs off on all Elevation
Certificates for structures built in FEMA
designated flood zone areas. The City mails
safety tips from flooding as utility inserts to all City residents every year. The utility insert includes
information on how to protect properties from flood
hazard before flooding, during flooding and after
flooding. The information on flood safety is also
available on the City website.

Barriers to running an effective NFIP program
in your jurisdiction.

None
When was the most recent Community
Assistance Visit (CAV) or Community
Assistance Contact (CAC)?
2021
Is a CAV or CAC scheduled or needed? Yes. A visit is scheduled in the fall of 2023.

Does your jurisdiction have any outstanding
NFIP compliance violations that need to be
addressed?
No
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 27
Topic Response
Do your flood hazard maps adequately
address the flood risk within your
jurisdiction?
Yes
Does your floodplain management staff need
any assistance or training to support its
floodplain management program?
Yes, additional staffing.

Does your jurisdiction participate in the
Community Rating System (CRS)?
Yes, class 6
How many structures are exposed to flood
risk within your jurisdiction?
 In 10% annual chance flood hazard area:
2,829
 In 1% annual chance flood hazard area: 4,994
 In 0.2% annual chance flood hazard area:
20,184
How many flood insurance policies are in
force in your jurisdiction?
 What is the insurance in force?
 What is the premium in force?
 3,665 policies in force
 $957,293,500 insurance in force
 $4,126,988 premium in force
Areas of flood risk with limited NFIP policy
coverage.

Unknown
How many total loss claims have been filed in
your jurisdiction?
 How many claims were closed without
payment or are still open?
 What is the total amount of paid claims?
 How many claims were for substantial
damage?
 473 total loss claims have been filed
  104 claims closed without payment
  $8,984,657.71 total payments for losses
How NFIP compliance will be continued during
the next 5 years.

NFIP compliance will be continued by following
the FEMA Floodplain Management Regulations,
the California Building Code, and the floodplain
management requirements that are on the City’s
Municipal Code for all new construction and
substantial improvement construction in Special
Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). The link to FEMA’s
Map Service Center is provided on the City’s
website for flood zone identification for any
properties. The City also provides a service to
provide flood zone designations and base flood
elevations from the City’s Flood Zone Lookup from
the City’s website. All LOMA documents are
attached in the City’s GIS system. Thus, local
requests for map updates for properties with
LOMAs can be viewed on the City’s GIS map. The
City’s public works inspectors monitors all
constructions — substantial improvements and
non-substantial improvements — in SFHAs.

Elevation Certificates (ECs) are reviewed, signed,
and approved by public inspectors when the
building has been constructed in compliance with
NFIP regulations.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 28

Table 10: Education and Outreach Capabilities
Education or
Outreach Capability Response
How does the
personnel, program, or
organization relate to
disaster resilience and
mitigation?
Could the
personnel,
program, or
organization help
implement future
mitigation
activities?
Does your
jurisdiction have a
Public Information
Officer or
Communications
Office?
Yes. The City
Communications Office,
Public Safety public
information officers, and
Utilities Communication
Manager provide public
information officer functions.

PIO and
Communications provide
public alerts and
warnings using multiple
systems.

Yes
Does your
jurisdiction have
personnel skilled or
trained in website
development?
Yes Websites provide
information for public
consumption of
mitigation activities
across the City.

Yes
Does your
jurisdiction have
hazard mitigation
information
available on your
website?
 Yes.
www.cityofpaloalto.org/lh
map &
www.cityofpaloalto.org/thir
a
 Palo Alto maintains and
follows an Open data
initiative that makes large
amounts of governmental
information available to
the public. The City has a
local hazards mitigation
page on the City website.

This plan provides
suggested mitigation
actions the City could
consider.

Yes
Does your
jurisdiction utilize
social media for
hazard mitigation
education and
outreach?
Yes, The City has
implemented the use of social
media using Nextdoor to
communicate these types of
information to the public at
large.

Those who perform
these roles provide
hazard related
preparedness
information to the
community on a
seasonal basis
Yes
Does your
jurisdiction have
any citizen boards
or commissions
that address issues
related to hazard
mitigation?
 The Planning &
Transportation
Commission advises the
City Council, Planning
Director, and
Transportation Director on
land use and
transportation matters,
including the
Comprehensive Plan,
Commissions, through
their routine advisory
roles, address topics
that have a nexus to
mitigation activities.

These commissions
make recommendations
to the City Council for
consideration.

Yes
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 29
Education or
Outreach Capability Response
How does the
personnel, program, or
organization relate to
disaster resilience and
mitigation?
Could the
personnel,
program, or
organization help
implement future
mitigation
activities?
zoning, transportation
programs, and related
matters.
 Utilities Advisory
Commission (UAC) is
charged with providing
advice on acquisition,
development, and
financial review of electric,
gas and water resources;
joint action projects with
other public or private
entities which involve
electric, gas or water
resources; environmental
implications of proposed
electric, gas or water utility
projects; and conservation
and demand
management. Additionally,
the UAC is charged with
providing advice on the
acquisition, development
and financial review of the
dark fiber network and
wastewater collection
utilities.
 Citizen Corps is a best
practice and model
advocated by the federal
government to integrate
volunteers, non-
government entities, the
private sector, and other
groups with local
programs related to
homeland security and
emergency management
(HS/EM).

Does your
jurisdiction have
any ongoing public
education or
information
programs that could
be used to
communicate
 Yes. Palo Alto maintains
and follows an Open data
initiative that makes large
amounts of governmental
information available to
the public. The City has a
local hazards mitigation
page on the City website.

A wide range of data
and information sources
are available for public
consumption bringing
awareness to those who
seek it.

Yes
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 30
Education or
Outreach Capability Response
How does the
personnel, program, or
organization relate to
disaster resilience and
mitigation?
Could the
personnel,
program, or
organization help
implement future
mitigation
activities?
hazard-related
information?
The website also provides
several sources for hazard
related information
including a threats and
hazards page, but also in
the comprehensive plan.
 The emergency services
volunteer program also
serves as a
communications network
in their outreach to
neighborhood members
as well as their
participation in community
events.
 https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Emergen
cy-Services;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Emergen
cy-Services/Emergency-
Volunteers;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Fire/Prep
are-For-Wildfire-READY-
SET-GO
 The Fire Department
provides fire prevention
training throughout the
community; the Public
Works department
provides community
education through their
Clean Bay initiative and
tours of the Regional
Water Quality Control
Plant; the Community
Services Department
provides environmental
education through their
partnership with Save the
Bay organization.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 31
Education or
Outreach Capability Response
How does the
personnel, program, or
organization relate to
disaster resilience and
mitigation?
Could the
personnel,
program, or
organization help
implement future
mitigation
activities?
Does your
jurisdiction have
local citizen groups
or nonprofit
organizations
focused on
environmental
protection,
emergency
preparedness,
and/or underserved
populations?
 Yes. Citizen Corps is a
best practice and model
advocated by the federal
government to integrate
volunteers, non-
government entities, the
private sector, and other
groups with local
programs related to
homeland security and
emergency management
(HS/EM).
 The City also maintains an
Emergency Services
Volunteer program to
support preparedness,
response, and recovery
efforts.
 https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Emergen
cy-Services/Emergency-
Volunteers
The individuals who
participant in Citizen
Corps activities
champion resilience
topics and share this
information across the
community.

Yes
Does your
jurisdiction have
ongoing public
education or
information
programs?
 Yes. Palo Alto maintains
and follows an Open data
initiative that makes large
amounts of governmental
information available to
the public. The City has a
local hazards mitigation
page on the City website.

The website also provides
several sources for hazard
related information
including a threats and
hazards page, but also in
the comprehensive plan.

The emergency services
volunteer program also
serves as a
communications network
in their outreach to
neighborhood members
as well as their
participation in community
events.
 https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Emergen
Public education
activities occur in
various departments and
community groups.

These efforts provide
opportunities to educate
various elements of the
community.

Yes
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 32
Education or
Outreach Capability Response
How does the
personnel, program, or
organization relate to
disaster resilience and
mitigation?
Could the
personnel,
program, or
organization help
implement future
mitigation
activities?
cy-Services;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Emergen
cy-Services/Emergency-
Volunteers;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Fire/Prep
are-For-Wildfire-READY-
SET-GO
 The Fire Department
provides fire prevention
training throughout the
community; the Public
Works department
provides community
education through their
Clean Bay initiative and
tours of the Regional
Water Quality Control
Plant; the Community
Services Department
provides environmental
education through their
partnership with Save the
Bay organization.
 Implemented the use of
social media using
Nextdoor to communicate
these types of information
to the public at large.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 33
Education or
Outreach Capability Response
How does the
personnel, program, or
organization relate to
disaster resilience and
mitigation?
Could the
personnel,
program, or
organization help
implement future
mitigation
activities?
Does your
jurisdiction have
natural disaster or
safety related
school programs?
 Yes, Palo Alto maintains
and follows an Open data
initiative that makes large
amounts of governmental
information available to
the public. The City has a
local hazards mitigation
page on the City website.

The website also provides
several sources for hazard
related information
including a threats and
hazards page, but also in
the comprehensive plan.
 The emergency services
volunteer program also
serves as a
communications network
in their outreach to
neighborhood members
as well as their
participation in community
events.
 https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Emergen
cy-Services;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Emergen
cy-Services/Emergency-
Volunteers;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.
org/Departments/Fire/Prep
are-For-Wildfire-READY-
SET-GO
 The Fire Department
provides fire
prevention training
throughout the
community; the
Public Works
department provides
community education
through their Clean
Bay initiative and
tours of the Regional
Water Quality Control
Plant; the Community
Services Department
provides
environmental
education through
their partnership with
Save the Bay
organization.
 Implemented the use
of social media using
Nextdoor to
communicate these
types of information
to the public at large.

Yes
Does your
jurisdiction have
public/private
partnership
initiatives
addressing
disaster-related
issues?
Yes. Palo Alto has
established a partnership with
VMWare, whose campus is
located in Palo Alto. Through
this partnership, VMWare has
created a solar ‘Micro Grid’
that can support public safety
operations in a crisis.

This provides resilience
for potential ‘power
outage’ scenarios, or to
augment public safety
operations in vicinity of
the Wildland Urban
Interface.

Yes
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 34
Table 11: Community Classifications
Participating? Classification Date
Classified
Community Rating System Yes 6 5/1/2017
Building Code Effectiveness Grading
Schedule
Yes 3 2018
Insurance Services Office (ISO) Fire Rating Yes 2 2016
National Weather Service StormReady
Program®
Yes N/A 2015
Firewise USA® Program No N/A N/A

Table 12: Development and Permitting Capabilities
Development or Permitting Capability Response
Does your jurisdiction issue development
permits?
 If no, who does? If yes, which department?
Yes, Development Services Department
Does your jurisdiction have the ability to track
permits by hazard area?
Yes
Does your jurisdiction have a buildable lands
inventory?
No

Table 13: Adaptive Capacity for Climate Change
Adaptive Capacity Assessment Question Jurisdiction Rating Technical Capacity
Jurisdiction-level understanding of potential climate change impacts High
Comment: The City has a Sustainability Officer who manages a stakeholder team of both internal staff members and external agency representatives to understand the climate change issues in Palo Alto.

The City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan demonstrates the understanding of climate change impacts; Palo Alto in engaged in Bay Area conservation planning groups that are also in volved in climate change impacts.

Jurisdiction-level monitoring of climate change impacts High Comment: The City recently completed a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment which documents potential sea level rise hazards to City and community assets from increments of sea level rise between 12 to 84 inches.

Technical resources to assess proposed strategies for feasibility and externalities High
Comment: Staff members are assigned to assess and propose strategies for climate change impacts.

These strategies are then included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Hazard Mitigation Planning, and Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 35
Adaptive Capacity Assessment Question Jurisdiction Rating Jurisdiction-level capacity for development of greenhouse gas emissions inventory High
Comment: In 2009 Palo Alto published the City’s Climate Protection Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Protection Plan provides a comprehensive inventory of emissions, reduction targets, and steps to reach those targets.
(http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/9986). In 2014 the City updated this plan with new emissions data, goals, and actions. Additionally, the City has developed several programs to further reduce emissions including a long-term road map coordinated through the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan as well as the City’s carbon neutral electric plan.

Capital planning and land use decisions informed by potential climate impacts High
Comment: As a result of the technical resources assigned to this planning element, Palo Alto incorporates decisions into Comprehensive Planning, Local Hazard Mitigation Planning, and Sustainability and Climate Action Planning.

Participation in regional groups addressing climate risks High Comment: Palo Alto staff members are involved in Local, Regional, and National groups studying climate/change and adaption issues.

Implementation Capacity
Clear authority/mandate to consider climate change impacts during public decision-making processes High
Comment: The Palo Alto City Council has established an aggressive GHG reduction goal and is in process of updating its Comprehensive Plan and adopting a Sustainability and Climate Action Plan that will mandate considering climate change impacts during public decision-making processes.

Identified strategies for greenhouse gas mitigation efforts High Comment: The City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (scheduled for approval 11/28) identifies strategies for reducing GHG emissions 80 percent by 2030 (against a 1990 baseline) and for adapting to expected climate change impacts. These include strong energy efficiency requirements in building codes; exploring electrification (switching customers from natural gas to carbon neutral electricity); embedding sustainability and climate considerations into the City’s purchasing, operations, and capital investment processes; encouraging shift of private and public vehicles to EVs, supported by expanded EV infrastructure; continued pursuit of the City’s zero waste goals.

Identified strategies for adaptation to impacts High
Comment: The City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan identifies strategies to prepare for climate change by reducing the impacts of climate change from sea level rise and wildfires.

Champions for climate action in local government departments High Comment: Public Works Director sitting on City’s Executive Leadership Team; multi-department Sustainability Steering Committee; multi-department Sustainability Leadership Team.

Political support for implementing climate change adaptation strategies High
Comment: Strong community and Council support; climate change has been a top Council priority for the past 3 years.

Financial resources devoted to climate change adaptation High Comment: Currently, the City provides funding for staff members to engage in change adaptation planning including a Chief Sustainability Officer, and additional departmental staff members on an ad hoc basis. The City has a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) fund that will provide funding for designated projects. The City Council can allocate funding for change adaptation projects as well.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 36
Adaptive Capacity Assessment Question Jurisdiction Rating Local authority over sectors likely to be negative impacted Low Comment: The Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment identifies the sectors likely to be negatively impacted by climate change. The Vulnerability Assessment focuses on sectors withing Palo Alto’s authority.

Public Capacity
Local residents knowledge of and understanding of climate risk High Comment: Palo Alto includes a highly educated community, many of whom understand climate risks.

The City has hosted several events, webinars, and workshops focused on various topics of climate risk (https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/City-Hall/Sustainability/Get-Involved/SCAP-Community-Engagement).

Local residents support of adaptation efforts High
Comment: There is strong local support for adaptation efforts. The City hosted a public Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Ad Hoc Meeting to discuss wildfires and sea level rise (https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/City-Hall/City-Council/Sustainability-and-Climate-Action-Plan-Ad-Hoc- Committee), as well as several Sea Level rise workshops and webinars (https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/sealevelrise). Many community members are speaking up about their concerns of climate change, and several organizations have organized action groups (i.e. Palo Alto Green, Save Palo Alto Groundwater).

Local residents’ capacity to adapt to climate impacts Medium Comment: Climate adaptation and sea level rise is addressed in the soon-to-be adopted Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP). The in-development Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan will address local residents’ capacity to adapt to climate impacts. The S/CAP also has a goal to minimize wildland fire hazards by ensuring adequate provisions for vegetation management, emergency access and communications, inter-agency firefighting, and standards for design and development within wildland areas.

Local economy current capacity to adapt to climate impacts Medium Comment: Generally strong economy; very energy efficient compared to U.S.; substantial local food production capacity; but generally unrecognized risk to Long-Term water supplies (impacting potable water, hydropower, and agriculture).

Local ecosystems capacity to adapt to climate impacts Medium Comment: Depends on the extent of the impacts. The City can expect successional pressure on ecosystems from temperature and precipitation changes, other impacts from wildfires and flooding.

8.4.3. Opportunities to Expand Upon and Improve Existing Capabilities The hazard mitigation planning process presented the opportunity for the community to discuss and evaluate their current capabilities however, building mitigation capabilities is an ongoing process. New capabilities can be added which will support mitigation. Current capabilities can also be enhanced to actively support mitigation and reduce risk. Significant efforts have been made to increase the capabilities of jurisdictions across the OA. By participating in this plan update, each community is reinforcin g their support for mitigation and understanding of the capabilities they need to successfully implement mitigation measures. Actions that can expand and improve existing authorities, plans, policies, and resources for mitigation include:
 Developing a Climate Action Plan which incorporates hazard data and actions to adapt to a changing climate.
 Budgeting and passing policies and procedures for mitigation actions.  Adopting and implementing stricter mitigation regulations.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 37
 Approving the training of staff for mitigation activities.  Approving mitigation updates to existing plans as new needs are recognized.  Continuing to update plans as necessary to ensure they are current and reflect the needs of the community or special district.
 Further developing warning systems and messaging.
 Creating and implementing additional public education and outreach offerings and increasing the volume of translated materials.
 Ensuring grant opportunities are capitalized upon to meet mitigation goals.

Each type of the four FEMA-identified capabilities were evaluated, in addition to OA-priority capabilities like adaptive capacity. Gaps and limitations, if any, are discussed in the tables above. Additional jurisdiction-specific opportunities to expand on and improve capabilities for reducing risk include:
 Continue to participate in the Community Rating System and identify additional actions to both reduce flood risk and reduce flood insurance premiums.
 Update the Comprehensive Plan and include requirements to address climate change.  Adopt and implement the city’s new Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP).  Acquire additional planning, engineering, and emergency management professionals who can support hazard mitigation initiatives.
 Expand grant writing capabilities to include mitigation grants such as BRIC.

8.5. Integration with Other Planning Initiatives
This section describes the process for integrating the hazard mitigation plan into local planning mechanisms.

8.5.1. Existing Integration
The following plans and programs currently integrate the goals, risk assessment and/or recommendations of the hazard mitigation plan:
 Comprehensive Plan: The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is nested within the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and many of the policies and programs in the Comprehensive Plan now have mitigation linkages for the hazards addressed in this plan.  Municipal Code: The City of Palo Alto Municipal Code establishes risk mitigation standards for building codes that impact the City’s seismic and flood risks.  Sustainability and Climate Action Plan: The City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is the primary document that addresses the City’s programs and mitigation actions for climate adaptation.
 Seismic Hazards Identification Program: This program will evolve in the near future to provide additional policies to reduce risks to seismic prone buildings.  Community Rating System: Palo Alto will continue efforts to reduce the City’s CRS rating to reduce flood risks to those property owners in FEMA designated flood zones. The prior LHMP was provided as a part of the city’s local CRS assessments in order to maintain the current CRS rating by implementing preparedness measures through drills and exercises, community outreach, and LHMP annual updates.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 38
 Energy Assurance Plan: Palo Alto is developing programs and actions to improves the City’s energy assurance for certain critical infrastructure.
 Foothills Fire Management Plan: This plan addresses a broad range of integrated activities and planning documents to identify and mitigate the impacts of fire hazards in the Palo Alto Foothills Area. Fire mitigation project areas include the boundaries of Foothills Park and Pearson - Arastradero Preserve and each year the City allocates resources to treat segments of the project area and to provide public education and awareness.
 Water Conservation Best Management Practices (BMP): Since 2002, the City has partnered with the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) to promote and cost-share water efficiency programs for Palo Alto customers. Through this cost-sharing agreement, the City pays roughly half of the cost of the programs, with SCVWD administering many of these programs including onsite water audits, and rebates for landscape conversion as well as water efficient fixtures and appliances. The City also administers other water conservation programs in-house or through separate contracts with outside vendors, such as the Home Water Report program. The City continues to evaluate opportunities for program partnership opportunities with the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency and other regional alliances.  Funding/Day-to-Day Projects: The City asks for public assistance regarding stormwater, water use, defensible space issues among others. The LHMP addresses projects to encourage compliance with city policies. Additionally, the City works with various special districts and incorporates specific projects into the LHMP that serve all entities. Examples are with the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority and Valley Water for our CRS assessments and NFIP flood reduction projects; and the interdepartmental efforts to reduce wildfire risks in our Wildland Urban Area.

8.5.2. Opportunities for Future Integration
The following plans and programs do not currently integrate the goals, risk assessment and/or recommendations of the hazard mitigation plan, but provide an opportunity for future integration:
 Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Many of the CIP projects being implemented have a direct or indirect application to local hazards. Specific projects will become part of Palo Alto’s mitigation action plan and vice versa.
 One Water Plan: The development of this plan was identified as a key action in the city’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The water plan will evaluate alternative water supplies, define existing and future uncertainties and supply risks, and identify community nee ds and priorities. This relates to multiple hazards and actions described in the MJHMP.  Community Wildfire Protection Plan: This plan is currently being updated. Data and mitigation actions can be reflected in both plans.
 Building Codes/Zoning: The City updates these hazard-related policies as needed in accordance with State requirements. The last update was in 2022, and additional updates may occur before the next MJHMP update.

The City has a number of plans and policies that have a nexus with the MJHMP. City staff members actively work with another to integrate topics between these plans/policies during normal working group meetings. The diverse group of internal stakeholders that participated in this plan update reflects the city’s collaborative approach to integrating this MJHMP with other planning mechanisms. The Local Mitigation Planning Team will be responsible for integrating information from the 2023 hazard mitigation plan in accordance with normal Palo Alto planning activities.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 39

8.6. Jurisdiction-Specific Natural Hazard Event History Table 139 lists all past occurrences of natural hazards within the jurisdiction.

Table 14: Natural Hazard Events 1F1F
1 Type of Event FEMA Disaster #
(if applicable)
Date Preliminary
Damage Assessment
January 2023 Severe
Storms
DR-4683 01/14/2023 Unknown
COVID-19 Response DR-3428 03/13/2020 Unknown
Flood DR-1203 02/09/1998 $23 million
Earthquake DR-845 10/18/1989 Unknown
Flood DR-651 01/07/1982 Unknown
Flood N/A 1967 Unknown
Flood N/A 1958 Unknown
Flood N/A 1955 Unknown
Flood N/A 1911 Unknown
Flood N/A 1862 Unknown

8.7. Jurisdiction-Specific Vulnerabilities
 Palo Alto tends to fall around the middle compared with other jurisdictions in the OA in terms of estimated losses to the earthquake Hazus scenarios. Estimates for structural losses were between $800-$900 million for the three fault-based scenarios, representing 4.3-4.9% of the total building value in the city. There is a high density of seismically at-risk soft-story, concrete tilt-up, and concrete shear wall buildings constructed prior to 1994 that have not been retrofitted, which is a mix of residential and commercial use. Moderate to High liquefaction potential begins near the center of the city and rises closer to the coastline. Structures and utilities in these areas are at additional risk to damage from changes in stability during an earthquake related to soil conditions.

The city public safety building (built in 1970) and Fire Station 4 (built in 1953) are considered to be vulnerable to seismic activity because they do not include modern seismic building standards.  A total of 604 buildings valued at $25 million are within wildfire hazard areas in Palo Alto. A total of 1,711 people (2.5% of the total population) reside within wildfire hazard areas. The Foothills community and potable water supply reliability from reservoirs are vulnerable to wildfire.

Additional water storage has been created in the low-lands to offset water losses. Power lines are occasionally de-energized in high wind events and similar conditions that may increase risk of wildfire. Although de-energizing lines reduces risk of igniting a wildfire, power interruptions can affect operations of other critical facilities, including water distribution facilities needed for fire response efforts. Other mitigation techniques could reduce wildfire ignition from power distributions without loss of power service. Not all structures in areas at risk to wildfire are constructed with fire resistant materials or have adequate defensible space or other forms of vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk. Wildfire risk is expected to increase by extended periods of drought or extreme heat caused by climate change.

1 Damage assessment information from San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (2006), except 1862 flood information from various historical records. Recreating the Great California Flood of 1862 – A Case Study. NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory. https://psl.noaa.gov/data/20thC_Rean/CA_flood_1861-1862/ Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 40
 A total of 8,200 residents and 3,318 households are in potential inundation areas from high hazard dams: Felt Lake and Lagunita. Structures valued at over $2 billion are also within these potential inundation areas. See Figure 58 and 59 in the base plan for location. Foothills Nature Preserve Dam has shown signs of seepage, and monitoring may expose needs for repairs or other improvements.
 A total of 629 people (.92% of the total population) are within the 1% SFHA, and 4,534 (6.62%) are within the 0.2% SFHA. Structures in these areas are valued at $158 million and $367 million respectively. Roughly 20 percent of Palo Alto is exposed to special flood hazard areas including, 3 schools (1 public, 2 private), several businesses, and other public infrastructure. There are residents living in this area who require assistance, but there are strong neighborhood resources to assist. Levees in the Baylands help mitigate flood risk and sea level rise to structures closer to the bay. Several levees need improvements. The tide gate is also in need of replacing.  A large portion of Palo Alto is at risk to flooding from the San Francisquito Creek due to two poorly designed bridges. Heavy rain events can result in high water flows that these bridges cannot handle, including Pope Chaucer bridge and Newell Road Bridge The stream channel may experience bank erosion or other damage during flood or heavy rain events. The storm drain system has deteriorated with age and is also in need of repairs or other improvements.  A total of 620 residents are exposed to landslide potential. Structures in moderate to high landslide risk areas are valued at $520 million. Roadways in the Palo Alto Foothills are exposed to landslide risks, which could limit the ability to move into and out of this area. Water storage tanks in the landslide risk area may also be at risk to damage from landslide . Damage to these tanks would disrupt water supply delivery to the city.
 Vulnerability of permanent structures and residences to tsunami are minimal. The potential evacuation area for tsunami is adjacent to HW 101, a primary transportation route in northern Palo Alto.
 Impacts from inclement weather such as heavy rain, hail, and wind are likely to be very similar across the OA. Individual events may impact only limited areas, but the entire OA is at risk to similar conditions. Heavy rain may cause localized flooding on roadways and low-lying areas which may disrupt transportation for the general public and can also delay emergency response.

Heavy rain can also have cascading impacts on landslide potential or strain the capacity of dams.

High winds can disrupt power, communication and other services and cause damage to structures. Extreme heat or cold can be harmful to health, particularly those with inadequate housing with adequate warming and cooling systems.
 Extreme heat can strain power sources and contribute a need to implement rolling blackouts.

These power outages can increase the risk of heat-related illness for vulnerable populations.

Backup power systems or other secondary sources of power at critical facilities and public spaces that can be used as cooling centers could address this risk.  Power outages occur throughout the community when high winds, combined with years of drought, and heavy rains and high winds cause tree limbs to come into contact with power lines.

Commercial communications infrastructure does not have adequate backup power systems to maintain lifeline needs.
 Single grid tied high voltage transmission connection to PG&E for the power supply to the City, where it is then distributed by City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) across the City of Palo Alto community. This presents a vulnerability to conditions that impact this transmission line.  Impacts from drought will be fairly consistent across the OA. Drought impacts vegetation and can make it more vulnerable to disease and wildfire. Extended drought may necessitate limits on landscape irrigation or higher costs for irrigation, which can have economic impacts. Although agriculture is not a primary economic sector in the OA, drought can have severe negative impacts on growth of crops and gardens. Drought is expected to be more common in the future due to Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 41
climate change. Water conservation efforts and expansion of water recycling systems are needed to maintain a reliable city water supply.
 In order to better anticipate flooding or wildfire risks, sensors are currently employed to provide rainfall amounts, creek flow rates and heights, and video monitoring. Providing more sensors along creeks or in the Foothills area could improve the information used to make community facing decisions.

Climate Change Considerations:

Anticipated changes in climate may increase the number of occurrences, length or intensity in hazards such as extreme heat or drought, as indicated by the CMRA tool. Both drought and extreme heat conditions contribute to increased risk of wildfire, as lack of precipitation and high temperatures both contribute to vegetation becoming dry and more susceptible to quick ignition and faster fire spread.

Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can also reduce snowpack, and changes in runoff from snowpack may result in changes to water supplies throughout the region. Climate change may also impact the future frequency or severity of severe weather such as heavy rain and subsequent risk of flooding. Although CMRA does not indicate a significant change in the number of precipitation events or overall annual rainfall, it is anticipated that those events may become more extreme, with significant amounts of precipitation occurring during an extreme precipitation event. Climate change may lead to frequent fluctuation of water levels retained by dams and may result increased discharges and flooding downstream and possibly overtopping or other design failures following extreme precipitation events.

Intense rainstorms can result in increased risk of landslides occurrences. Loss of vegetation from wildfire reduces slope stability, and post-fire debris flows. An in-depth assessment of the possibility of increasing numbers and intensities of windstorms is not currently available for the OA; however, changes in temperature and extreme weather events may also be accompanied with increases in high wind . These could result in damaged utility lines resulting in power outages and can also contribute to extreme wildfire risk conditions.

Palo Alto will likely experience effects of climate change in relation to drought, extreme heat, heavy rain, high wind, flooding, and dam failure. Wildfire and landslide risk are confined to a relatively small area in Palo Alto. Climate change may impact those conditions but may not significantly increase the potential impacts to the city. Climate impacts to earthquake hazards are not well understood and not currently believed to have an effect in Palo Alto. Additional details on potential impacts to population, property, critical facilities, the environment, and the economy can be found in Volume 1, Section 12.

Repetitive loss records are as follows:
 Number of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-identified Repetitive-Loss Properties (RL): 4
 Number of FEMA-identified Severe-Repetitive-Loss (SRL) Properties: 1  Number of RL Properties or SRL Properties that have been mitigated: 0

Other noted vulnerabilities include:
 The State of California anticipates that relative sea level rise projections stemming from greenhouse gas emissions and related climate change pose significant economic, environmental, and social risks to communities along the San Francisco Bay Shoreline, including the City of Palo Alto. Sea level rise in San Francisco Bay is anticipated to range between three feet to more than ten feet by 2100, with rising tides likely thereafter. In Palo Alto, many City services and infrastructure that are essential to the City’s public health, safety, and economy are located with in areas that are predicted to be inundated by Bay water if adaptation measures are not implemented.
 Current climate change planning, specifically for sea-level rise, has shown groundwater incursion as a risk and the possible impacts that may cause to infrastructure and properties in close Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 42
proximity to the San Francisco Bay. City staff members must continue to assess these risks to develop effective mitigation strategies.

8.7.1. Social Vulnerability
Palo Alto has mostly low to moderate social vulnerability, as shown in Figure 88. This indicates that the population has fewer characteristics that might make recovery from hazard impacts more difficult, and the community would be fairly resilient following a disaster. However, although there were not high concentrations of individuals with social vulnerabilities identified in this tool, it should be expected that individuals with various disadvantages are found in the city. Individuals with household incomes below poverty level, those whose primary language is not English, the very young or those over 65 who are more dependent on others for care, those with access and functional needs, as well as other educational, socioeconomic, and other factors, should be given additional consideration in planning and plan implementation efforts. Two institutions that serve vulnerable populations in the area include Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the VA Hospital.

Figure 3: Palo Alto Social Vulnerability

8.8. Hazard Risk Index
Table 140 presents the hazards of concern from highest risk index number to lowest, as assigned by the City of Palo Alto.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 43
Table 15: Hazard Risk Index
Hazard Probability Life Impact Property
Impact
Percentage
of Area
Impacted
Maximum
Probable
Extent
Drought Highly Likely Minor Catastrophic Significant Major Heavy Rain Highly Likely Limited Critical Extensive Moderate High Wind Highly Likely Limited Limited Extensive Moderate Extreme Heat Highly Likely Limited Limited Extensive Moderate Earthquake Likely Critical Critical Significant Major
Wildfire/Smoke/
Air Quality
Highly Likely Critical Limited Minimal Moderate
Climate Change Highly Likely Minor Catastrophic Significant Major Dam/Levee
Failure
Unlikely Critical Limited Negligible Weak
Flood Occasional Minor Limited Minimal Moderate
Landslide/Mass
Movement
Unlikely Minor Minor Negligible Weak
Tsunami Unlikely Minor Minor Negligible Weak
Table 134: Comparison of Palo Alto Hazard Risk Score to Operational Area (OA) Risk
Score
Earth-
quake
Dam/
Levee
Failure
Heavy
Rain
High
Wind
Extreme
Heat Wildfire Drought Flood Land-
slide Tsunami Climate
Change
Palo Alto 2 0.95 2.05 1.85 1.85 1.95 2.05 0.65 0 0 1.85 OA 2.24 1.19 1.44 1.44 1.44 1.68 1.21 0.90 0.36 .02 1.13

8.9. Future Needs to Better Understand Risk/Vulnerability Current climate change planning, specifically for sea-level rise, has shown ground water incursion as a risk and the possible impacts that it may cause to infrastructure and properties in close proximity to the San Francisco Bay. City staff members must continue to assess these risks to develop effective mitigation strategies.

In order to better anticipate flooding or wildfire risks, sensors are currently employed to provide rainfall amounts, creek flow rates and heights, and video monitoring. Providing more sensors along creeks or in the Foothills area could improve the information used to make community facing decisions.

Residential insurance is needed for hazard events such as flood, earthquake, wildfire. Knowing how many have hazard specific insurance will help City representatives understand the community’s level of exposure and personal risk.

8.10. Status of Previous Plan Actions
Participants were asked to report the status of their mitigation actions listed in the previous plan as a part of this plan update. Where further information isn’t provided, the answers are defined as follows:
 Completed – work on this action is totally complete.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 44
 Completed and ongoing – work on this action is complete; however, it is an ongoing project that will continue to be implemented. An example is a public outreach campaign that was created and will continue to be implemented.
 In progress – work on this action has begun and is in progress, but the action is not yet complete.  Retain – work on this action has not begun yet, the action is still relevant, and it should be in the 2023 MJHMP.
 No longer relevant – Action item is no longer relevant due to reduce or eliminated risk, it no longer being feasible, there has been a change in jurisdictional or organizational priorities, or another reason as stated.

Unless specifically requested otherwise, only those actions listed as “retain” are incorporated into the 2023 action plan.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 45
Table 16: Status of Action Items from the 2017 MJHMP
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments PA.1 San Francisquito Creek Lower Reach
Flood Reduction and Ecosystem
Restoration Project
Flood/Heavy precipitation Complete
PA.2;
PA.4
San Francisquito Creek Upper Reach
Flood Reduction and Ecosystem
Restoration Project
Severe Storm/Flood In progress. The initial planning application was submitted to Palo Alto and review by staff in the fall of 2021. The project encroaches into private properties thus the SFCJPA has been working with the property owners
adjacent to the work areas and revising plans to minimize the impact. In addition, the JPA had initial meetings with the regulatory agency’s representatives to secure permits for reach 2 area. The JPA submitted the application to
the regulatory agencies in mid-July 2022. The application for Reach 2 will include the replacement of Pope/Chaucer bridge, Newell Road Bridge and 5 creek widening sites.

The regulatory agencies have also requested that the
application include details about Searsville dam and
upstream detention.

PA.3 Newell Creek Bridge replacement
project to accommodate a 100-year
flood event
Flood/Heavy Precipitation In progress. On June 1, 2020, City of Palo Alto City Council issued the decision to Certify the Final
Environmental Impact Report and approved the locally
preferred project alternative. The project can proceed
with the design and construction documents will be
prepared. In 2019, Caltrans approved a grant of $6.8M
for construction (currently programmed in FY 2026)
based on a $9M estimate, with $2M to come from the
SFCJPA partners. The latest construction cost estimate is $15M. Staff is working on finalizing the new estimate to request an additional $6M and accelerate funding to align with an earlier construction start. Staff is also working to secure additional regulatory permits and right-of-way
acquisitions (for temporary construction easements) with Caltrans needed during construction. The construction
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 46
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments within the creek is typically limited to June 15 – October 15, as required by regulatory permitting agencies. All
work in the street can occur outside of this window, with proper erosion control measures. The City anticipates the project construction will start in early 2024 and will take about a year and a half to complete.

PA.5 Matadero Creek Storm Water Pump
Station Improvements
Flood/Heavy precipitation,
atmospheric river
Completed
PA.6 Storm Drain System Replacement and
Rehabilitation
Flood/Heavy precipitation,
atmospheric river
Completed. Public Works conducts annual work to
replace and repair storm drain infrastructure. In the past three years they have improved the Loma Verde Avenue
Trunk Line, Louis Road pipes, and Oregon Expressway
Box Culvert. Pipe replacements are ongoing of
corrugated metal and concrete to HDPE. Design for new
pipe and pipe replacement at East Meadow Circle and
East Meadow Drive is currently ongoing and construction is anticipated to be completed in 2024.

PA.7 Recycled Water Pipeline Expansion
Project to expand the recycled water
purple pipeline within South Palo Alto
towards Stanford Research Park
Drought In progress. The economic feasibility of both the reverse osmosis facility and the recycled water expansion project are under review. These projects and other alternative
water supply projects will be considered as part of the "One Water" planning process.
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas- minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/utilities-advisory-
commission/archived-agenda-and-minutes/agendas-and-
minutes-2021/07-07-2021-special/id-12332-item-1.pdf
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 47
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments PA.8 Continue to maintain good standing and
compliance in the NFIP and improve
Community Rating System Class to
provide higher CRS premium discounts
Flood/Heavy precipitation,
atmospheric river
Completed and ongoing. The CRS specialists approved
the submittal and community maintains a rating of 6. This provides a 20% savings to the residents who have flood
insurance and whose properties are located within a
special flood hazard area. In addition, in February 2022, the Department of Water Resources schedule a
community visit with staff. They identified a few minor items that need to be updated. Staff updated Palo Alto
Municipal Code to address the issues raised.

PA.9 Complete the Strategy to Advance Flood
protection, Ecosystems and Recreation
SF Bay feasibility report
Severe Storm/Flood/Sea
Level Rise
Completed. The strategy document is complete. Planning
to implement strategies is underway.

PA.10 Construct new public Safety Building to
mitigate current risks to public safety
essential services
Earthquake In progress. A construction contract was awarded to Swinerton Builders in February 2021. Construction began in March 2021 and is expected to complete in early 2024.

PA.11 Rebuild Fire Stations 3 and 4 to mitigate
current risks to essential services
Earthquake/Flood/Sea
Level Rise
Complete and ongoing. Fire Station 3 is complete. A
design contract for Fire Station 4 was awarded in May
2022. Construction on the new Fire Station 4 is expected to begin in spring 2024.

PA.12 Continue 7-year cycle for high priority of
tree trimming
Earthquake/Flood/ Heavy
Rain, High Wind, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold
Completed (as part of 2017 planning focus). A new
contract began in October 2021 and will continue until
October 2024. The contract scope is based on
maintaining a minimum of the seven-year cycle of pruning for public trees.

PA.13 Replace the Baylands Tide Gate Flood/Heavy precipitation, atmospheric rivers
In progress. The project continues to advance, following the completion of the MND, Valley Water advanced the
design of the project and are talking with regulatory
agencies to secure permits. The 90% plans were
submitted to Palo Alto for review in spring 2022. Palo Alto staff reviewed these plans and provided comments. The
project that includes 8 gravity force tide gates and 1
sluice gate is estimated to cost $39M and scheduled to
begin in September 2023 and completed by December
2026. Valley Water and Palo Alto are discussing a cost
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 48
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments share agreement and coordinating with the design
elements needed to connect the sluice gate to the City
fiber network.

PA.14 Consider the use of alternative energy
sources for critical infrastructure
(essential facilities, key resources)
Earthquake, heavy
precipitation, atmospheric
river
Completed and ongoing. Palo Alto entities continue to
explore the use of alternative forms of energy to offset vulnerabilities of carbon-based fuels. New advances in
solar generation and battery technologies enable us to go "off grid" and ensure such systems can operate after a
major disaster (or cyber-attack, etc.). OES received a
State Homeland Security Grant for $200,000 for a
custom-built Solar Generator Trailer (SGT), which was
acquired in August 2021. In addition, the City has
included a Proposed Key Action "Complete a study of the reliability and resiliency needs of an electrified community and develop proposals for programs to facilitate
community resiliency." in the draft Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan Update, which will go to Council for approval in early 2023.

PA.15 Implement Wastewater Long-Range
Facilities Plan
Flood/heavy precipitation,
atmospheric, Earthquake,
Sea Level Rise
Ongoing. Palo Alto continues to move forward with
upgrading the Wastewater Treatment Plant; currently
rehabilitating existing primary sedimentation tanks; and summer of 2022 go out to bid for the construction of the secondary treatment plant to remove nutrients.

PA.16 Foothill water reservoir upgrade. Earthquake/Wildfire/Drought Completed. Staff determined not to change layout of Foothills water system facilities. Corte Madera water tank replacement project (for seismic stability) was completed in April 2021. Park and Dahl Reservoirs will be repaired or retrofitted (in FY ‘23 and ‘26). Despite low water
demand in foothills, Foothills water reservoirs cannot be removed due to requirements for emergency storage and
firefighting storage.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 49
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments PA.17 Consider construction of a new water
reservoir in the low-lying areas of Palo
Alto
Earthquake/Drought Completed. Staff completed the cost/benefit analysis of Dahl and Park Reservoir replacement options. It was
determined that rehabilitating the existing tanks is more cost-effective and beneficial than to rebuild or relocate to the low-lying areas.

PA.18 Rebuild and Reconfigure Electric
System in Stanford Hospital/Mall Area to
increase reliability during emergencies
Earthquake, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind
Completed. This project is complete. New substructure
was installed, and some circuits were rerouted.

PA.19 Install Fiber Optic Service to Black
Mountain Radio Repeater Site to
improve public safety communications
along Skyline Drive
Earthquake, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind, Wildfire
In progress. CPAU has initiated an Electrical
Undergrounding project which will underground electrical lines within the Palo Alto Foothills area, beginning on Arastradero Road and running up beyond Montebello
Reservoir. Fiberoptic cables will be installed as this
undergrounding work is done. The project is underway
and is expected to take 2-3 years to complete.

PA.20 Convert overhead utility lines to
underground transmission. Installation of
new underground electric,
communication, and cable television
systems in Electric Underground
Districts 46 and 47
Earthquake, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind
Completed. CPAU completed undergrounding of districts
46 & 47.

PA.21 Construct a second electrical
transmission interconnection to PG&E
using a new corridor
Earthquake, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind
In progress. Stanford and SLAC decided against
participating in establishing a new intertie with Palo
Alto. Palo Alto Utilities is pursuing a new option and has contracted with a consultant to obtain the California
Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) approval for a
transmission project to construct a 115kV circuit from
Palo Alto Adobe Creek Substation to PG&E Ames
Substation.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 50
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments PA.22 Construct a second water
interconnection from Palo Alto Utilities to
Stanford Hospital
Earthquake, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind
In progress. A second water interconnection is in place but is waiting for a signed agreement between the City
and the Hospital to be considered complete.

PA.23 Connect Palo Alto to adjacent Public
Safety agencies’ Public Safety
Answering Points by Fiber
Earthquake, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind
Retain. This project is on hold while the construction of the new Public Safety Building is underway; the feasibility of this project is being reassessed.

PA.24 Implement a Public Safety Wireless Data
Network
Earthquake, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind
Retain. This project has been tied to the Fiber to the
Home/Premises concept which is still being evaluated
(https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-
Manager/City-Policy-Initiatives/Palo-Alto-Fiber). This
project may not be feasible.

PA.25 Conduct a Hydrology Study on Buck-
Eye Creek for flood protection and
erosion control at Foothills Park
Flood, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind
Complete
PA.26 Develop a Baylands Comprehensive
Conservation Plan (BCCP)
Flood, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, Extreme
Heat/Extreme Cold, High
Wind, Sea Level Rise
In progress. A draft BCCP was shared with the Parks &
Recreation Commission in May 24,2022. However, the
City has received new recommendations from
Commissioners and Stakeholders which staff is now
taking into consideration. This presents a further delay in completing the plan and associated CEQA.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 51
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments PA.27 Address hazardous fuels and reduce
structural ignitability in the Foothills
region in accordance with the
Community Wildfire Protection Plan and
Foothills Fire Management Plan
Wildfire Complete and ongoing. Palo Alto performed the required wildfire mitigation activities in Foothills and Arastradero Nature Preserves in accordance with the FFMP. In 2022,
the Public Works Department Urban Forestry Division
contracted for electrical line clearance of the
aboveground lines in the Foothills. The Palo Alto Fire
Department conducted their annual defensible space
home assessments for the residential properties in the
Palo Alto WUI. They have implemented new
management controls to mitigate residences not in
compliance with their recommended actions.

PA.28 Encourage creation by Foothills
Residents of a Firewise Ready
Community
Wildfire In progress. The Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties experienced wildfires in August 2020 that became federal disasters. During these incidents Palo Alto Public Safety officials met with neighborhood leaders to discuss the
WUI safety of the residents in this area of Palo Alto.

There has not been interest by this neighborhood to form a FireWise community.

PA.29 Consider a policy for Seismic Retrofitting
of earthquake prone structures
Earthquake Retain
PA.30 Develop a Policy for Sea Level Rise
considerations (what actions should the
City take)
Sea Level Rise Completed. The Sea Level Rise Vulnerability was completed. This is being used to develop the Sea Level
Rise Adaptation Plan. The broader Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan, which includes a Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise Chapter, will be brought to Council
for approval in 2023.

PA.31 Develop a post-disaster Community
Long-Term Recovery Plan
All Hazards Retain
PA.32 Conduct public education that raises
awareness of Palo Alto threats and
hazards and improves community
resilience
All Hazards Completed and ongoing. OES resumed public education activities utilizing in person and virtual modes of delivery to raise awareness and increase preparedness; this
included 56 public education events in FY21, and 112 in FY22.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 52
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments PA.33 Maintain Storm Ready Community
designation
Severe Storm Completed and ongoing. OES maintains this certification through annual activities and requirements set by the
Storm Ready program. See
https://www.weather.gov/stormready/ca-sr
PA.34 Improve Palo Alto Fire Department ISO
rating
All Hazards In progress. The Department has completed 2 years of hydrant inspections. The City has not pursued a new
audit due to the lack of an additional reserve Type 1
engine. E64 was taken out of service after a crash on
8/4/19 and not been replaced. Based on preliminary
calculations that may be enough to keep the City from the points necessary to reach ISO 1 rating. Palo Alto
representatives will revisit when they are able to replace the reserve Type 1 engine.

PA.35 Maintain Building Effectiveness Grading
Schedule classification of 1
All Hazards In progress. The City’s Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) has not been re-evaluated
since 2018. Therefore, the BCEGS Classification are
Class 3 for single-family residential property and Class 3 for commercial and industrial property.

PA.36 Where appropriate, support retrofitting,
purchase or relocation of structures
located in high hazard areas and
prioritize those structures that have
experienced repetitive losses
All Hazards In progress. The City does not currently have a policy to purchase or relocate repetitive loss structures.

Additionally, sizable portions of the City are located in high hazard areas where relocation is not feasible.

Retrofitting of properties is encouraged for those
properties that may be impacted by floods, earthquakes, and wildfires. See also PA-29. Additionally, the City has adopted the most current State building code, which
enhances the standard of new construction.

PA.37 Integrate the hazard mitigation plan into
other plans, ordinances and programs
that dictate land use decisions within the
community
All Hazards Complete. The Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan recently finalized in 2017 is linked to the LHMP in the Safety
Element. The Safety Element informs land use planning
by describing the natural hazards faced by the Palo Alto community. Additionally, the City of Palo Alto
Sustainability and Climate Action planning take into
account land use decisions.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 53
Action
Item
Number*
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Current Status and Comments PA.38 Actively participate in the plan
maintenance protocols outlined in
Volume 1 of the hazard mitigation plan
All Hazards Completed and ongoing
* Number given to action item in 2017 Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 54

8.11. Mitigation Successes
The City of Palo Alto actively engages in mitigation actions and utilizes partnerships to build mitigation momentum. The City has adopted numerous plans and regulations that support local hazard mitigation, including the local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP), floodplain management ordinance, a THIRA, Foothills Fire Management Plan, and Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. It partici pates in the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (JPA) which was established after a series of floods in 1998 to address flooding along the San Francisquito Creek and the Bay. The JPA integrates habitat protection and restoration and community recreational opportunities into its flood mitigation projects. The JPA recently completed a marsh restoration project which will protect more than 1,700 properties from the 1% flood.

Palo Alto has consistently recognized the benefits of natural systems protection throughout its plans and projects. The City has taken steps to mitigate climate change and adapt to changing conditions. As described in its Urban Forest Management Plan, the City is actively increasing tree canopy cover in order to, among other things, reduce the heat island effect. Additionally, the City’s Urban Water Management Plan helps residents understand how to avoid wasting water and prepare the City for times of drought.

The Foothills Fire Management Plan also describes actions the City can should take to reduce wildfire risk including creating defensible space, modifying fuels, and engaging in effective fire suppression through grazing and prescribed fire.

The City is actively planning for the future impacts of climate change by completing important guidance documents that will support project planning efforts over both the short and long-term. The completion of the Sustainability Plan and the development of a Sustainability Work Plan now guide these important programs. Development of a Sea Level Rise policy and completing the Strategy to Advance Flood Protection, Ecosystems and Recreation San Francisco Bay feasibility report will promote project implementation of the Bayshore environment.

The completion of the San Francisquito Creek Lower Reach Flood Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project has significantly reduced the risk of flooding to East Palo Alto, a traditionally underserved community, but also sets the stage for additional flood mitigation projects upstream, which will be completed over the next five years.

The rebuilding of Fire Station 3 and the construction of a Public Safety building (currently under construction) to current building and seismic codes will increase the resilience of response operations during widespread emergencies.

Education and outreach are important steps the City takes to promote mitigation, adaptation, and resilience as well. For example, as part of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Plan development, Watershed Protection staff met with both residents and elected officials to present on GSI and hand out factsheets. Continuing these and other mitigation measures will help ensure a safe, resilient community moving forward.

8.12. Hazard Mitigation Action Plan and Evaluation of
Recommended Actions
Table 142 lists the actions that make up the City of Palo Alto hazard mitigation action plan. The maps in Figure 89 through Figure 97 present the City’s critical facilities, infrastructure, and identified hazard areas.

Descriptions of the expected time frames for actions are provided below:
• Short term: 1–5 years
• Medium term: 5–10 years
• Long term: Over 10 years
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 55
 Ongoing: Currently being funded and implemented under existing programs

The planning partners utilized the following criteria to prioritize action items into the categories of high, medium, or low.
 High Priority— A project that:
▪ Meets multiple goals and objectives (i.e., multiple hazards); ▪ Addresses multiple hazards;
▪ Has benefits that exceed cost;
▪ Has funding secured or is an ongoing project;
▪ Meets eligibility requirements for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants; ▪ Can be completed in the short term (1 to 5 years);
▪ Addresses immediate short-term impacts of climate change; ▪ Benefits underserved and/or socially vulnerable populations; AND ▪ Considers the Multi-Benefit Criteria utilized by the Santa Clara County Climate Collaborative, including equity, long-term value, ecosystem benefit, community benefit, and cross- jurisdictional alignment.
 Medium Priority— A project that:
▪ Meets multiple goals and objectives;
▪ Addresses multiple hazards;
▪ Has benefits that exceed costs;
▪ Has funding has not been secured, but that is grant eligible under Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants or other grant programs;
▪ Project can be completed in the short term (1-5 years), once funding is secured. Medium priority projects will become high priority projects once funding is secured; ▪ Addresses immediate short-term impacts of climate change; ▪ Benefits underserved and/or socially vulnerable populations; AND ▪ Considers the Multi-Benefit Criteria utilized by the Santa Clara County Climate Collaborative, including equity, long-term value, ecosystem benefit, community benefit, and cross- jurisdictional alignment.
 Low Priority— A project that:
▪ Will mitigate the risk of at least one hazard;
▪ Has benefits that do not exceed the costs or are difficult to quantify:
▪ Does not have secured funding;
▪ Is not eligible for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant funding; ▪ Has a timeline for completion that is long term (greater than 5 years). Low priority projects may be eligible for other sources of grant funding from other programs; ▪ May address impacts of climate change;
▪ May benefit underserved and/or socially vulnerable populations; AND Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 56
▪ Considers the Multi-Benefit Criteria utilized by the Santa Clara County Climate Collaborative, including equity, long-term value, ecosystem benefit, community benefit, and cross- jurisdictional alignment.

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 57
Table 17: City of Palo Alto 2023 Action Items
Action
Item
Number
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead Position,
Office, Department,
or Division
Responsible for
Implementation
Potential
Funding
Sources
Expected
Timeline
for
Completion
Priority
PA-2 * San Fransicquito Creek Upper Reach
Flood Reduction and Ecosystem
Restoration Project to widen channel,
improve floodwalls, and replace the
Pope-Chaucer Bridge
Flood, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River
San Francisquito
Creek Joint Powers
Authority
General
Fund,
Hazard
Mitigation
Grant
Program
(HMGP),
Flood
Mitigation
Assistance
(FMA)
Short-Term High
PA-3* Newell Creek Bridge replacement
project to accommodate a 100-year
flood event.

Flood, Heavy Rain, High
Wind, Atmospheric River
Public Works -
Engineering

CALTRANS/
Santa Clara
Valley Water
District
(SCVWD)
Short-Term High
PA-6* Storm Drain System Replacement and
Rehabilitation to maintain the integrity
of the storm drain system of
deteriorated storm drain infrastructure
to eliminate potential pipeline
blockages that could cause street
flooding
Flood, Heavy Rain, High
Wind, Atmospheric River
Public Works Capital
Improvement
Project
(CIP): SD-
06101
Ongoing Medium
PA-7* Recycled Water Pipeline Expansion
Project to expand the recycled water
purple pipeline within South Palo Alto
towards Stanford Research Park.

Drought, Climate Change Utilities – W/G/W CIP: WS-
07001
Short-Term Medium
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 58
Action
Item
Number
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead Position,
Office, Department,
or Division
Responsible for
Implementation
Potential
Funding
Sources
Expected
Timeline
for
Completion
Priority
PA-8* Continue to maintain good standing
and compliance in the NFIP and
improve Community Rating System
Class to provide higher CRS premium
discounts.

Flood, Heavy Rain, High
Wind
Public Works -
Engineering
General
Fund
Long-term High
PA-10* Construct new public Safety Building to
mitigate current risks to public safety
essential services.

Earthquake, Terrorism Public Works –
Engineering
CIP: PE-
15001
Short-Term High
PA-11* Rebuild Fire Station 4 to reduce impact
from seismic events
Earthquake, Terrorism Public Works –
Engineering
CIP: PE-
15003
Short-Term High
PA-13* Replace the Baylands Tide Gate to
reduce flood hazards in the Palo Alto
flood zone.

Flood, Heavy Rain, High
Wind, Atmospheric River,
Dam and Levee Failure,
Tsunami
Santa Clara Valley
Water District
Santa Clara
Valley Water
District funds
Long-term Medium
PA-15* Implement Wastewater Long-Range
Facilities Plan to improve facilities for
treatment and discharge of waste; and
to improve water recycling
opportunities
Flood, Heavy Rain, High
Wind, Extreme Heat,
Earthquake, Sea Level
Rise
Palo Alto Public
Works

CIP: WQ-
10001
Ongoing High
PA-19* Install Fiber Optic Service to Black
Mountain Radio Repeater Site to
improve public safety communications
along Skyline Drive.

Earthquake, Heavy
Precipitation/Atmospheric
River, High Wind,
Wildfire, Space Weather
Palo Alto Utilities

CIP: TBD Short-term Low
PA-21* Construct a second electrical
transmission interconnection to PG&E
using a new corridor to reduce the
single dependency of our connection
to the electric grid.

Wildfire, Power Outage,
Heavy Precipitation /
Atmospheric River,
Extreme Heat/Extreme
Cold, High Wind, Space
Weather
Utilities – Electrical
Engineering

CIP, HMGP,
Pre-Disaster
Mitigation
(PDM)
Long-Term Medium
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 59
Action
Item
Number
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead Position,
Office, Department,
or Division
Responsible for
Implementation
Potential
Funding
Sources
Expected
Timeline
for
Completion
Priority
PA-27* Address hazardous fuels and reduce
structural ignitability in the Foothills
region in accordance with the
Community Wildfire Protection Plan
and Foothills Fire Management Plan.

Wildfire, Extreme
Temperature
Community Services
Department – Open
Spaces
General
Fund, HGMP
Short-Term Medium
PA-29* Consider a policy for Seismic
Retrofitting of earthquake prone
structures.

Earthquake Planning and
Development
Services
General
Fund
Short-Term Low
PA-32* Conduct public education that raises
awareness of Palo Alto threats and
hazards and improves community
resilience.

All hazards, including
Earthquake, Dam
Failure, Flood, Wildfire,
Landslide, Tsunami,
Heavy Rain, High Wind,
Extreme Heat, Drought
Palo Alto Office of
Emergency Services
Staff Time;
General
Fund
Ongoing High
PA-36* Where appropriate, support retrofitting,
purchase or relocation of structures
located in high hazard areas and
prioritize those structures that have
experienced repetitive losses.

All hazards, including
Earthquake, Flood, Dam
Failure, Heavy Rain,
High Wind, Wildfire
Palo Alto
Development
Services
HMGP,

PDM, FMA
Short-Term Medium
PA-37* Integrate the hazard mitigation plan
into other plans, ordinances and
programs that dictate land use
decisions within the community.

All hazards, including
Earthquake, Flood, Dam
Failure, Wildfire,
Landslide, Tsunami,
Heavy Rain, High Wind,
Extreme Heat, Drought
Palo Alto
Development
Services
Staff Time;
General
Fund
Ongoing High
PA-38* Actively participate in the plan
maintenance protocols outlined in
Volume 1 of the hazard mitigation plan.

All hazards Palo Alto Office of
Emergency Services
Staff Time;
General
Fund
Short-Term High
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 60
Action
Item
Number
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead Position,
Office, Department,
or Division
Responsible for
Implementation
Potential
Funding
Sources
Expected
Timeline
for
Completion
Priority
1 Seismic retrofit two existing potable
water storage reservoirs. Foundation
work and anchorage will be retrofitted
along the lower sections of the tank
shell to restrain the tank against uplift,
The tanks have a combined storage
capacity of 2.0 million gallons, and
they are planned to store emergency
water storage for the City of Palo Alto.

Earthquake, Landslide Utilities
Engineering/WGW

CIP, HMGP,
Building
Resilient
Infrastructure
and
Communities
(BRIC)
Short-Term High
2 Replace non-seismically restrained
potable water piping in liquification
zones with new fused and fully
restrained piping. 10 miles of
unrestrained pipe within a liquification
zone will be replaced with fused HDPE
piping.

Earthquake Utilities
Engineering/WGW

CIP, HMGP,
BRIC
Short-Term Medium
3 Install two permanent standby
stationary generators at Dahl and Park
Pumping Potable Water Stations.

These stations are located in WUI
areas and service other WUI
designated properties. Power lines are
deenergized during wildfire events and
standby stationary generators will be
imperative to ensure power supply and
continued operation of critical pumping
facilities during a wildfire event.

Earthquake, Wildfire,
Power Outages, High
Wind
Utilities
Engineering/WGW

CIP, HMGP,
BRIC
Short-Term High
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 61
Action
Item
Number
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead Position,
Office, Department,
or Division
Responsible for
Implementation
Potential
Funding
Sources
Expected
Timeline
for
Completion
Priority
4 Wildfire hardening of critical utilities
infrastructure. This action would
remove and replace the existing roof
and install a new roofing system, soffit,
fascia, and front door with WUI
compliant materials, systems, and
techniques. All vent screens will be
removed and replaced with WUI
compliant mesh. All vegetation within
30-feet of the structures will be
removed and trees limbed for
adequate defensible space around
each structure. There is a total of four
structures located at four different
sites, located in and round the Foothills
Nature Preserve Area in the City of
Palo Alto.

Wildfire, Smoke, Air
Quality, High Wind
Utilities
Engineering/WGW &

CPA-OES

CIP, HMGP,
BRIC
Ongoing Low
5 Conduct an assessment for
electrification of City facilities to
achieve at least an 80 percent
reduction in current natural gas usage
by 2030. This assessment will provide
a schedule, cost estimate, and timeline
of what facilities this electrification
must occur at to achieve the goals of
the SCAP per this scenario.

Climate Change Public Works
Engineering

CIP, HMGP,
BRIC,
Federal
Energy
Related
Grants
Long-Term Low
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 62
Action
Item
Number
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead Position,
Office, Department,
or Division
Responsible for
Implementation
Potential
Funding
Sources
Expected
Timeline
for
Completion
Priority
6 Apply mitigation techniques to
approximately 11 miles of overhead
line to mitigate the possibility of a
wildfire due to overhead electric lines.

This could include the utilization of
more robust equipment or construction
practices; rerouting to avoid vegetation
and improve access for inspection and
maintenance; or converting the
overhead lines to underground where
feasible.

Wildfire, Smoke, Air
Quality, High Wind
Utilities
Engineering/Electrical

CIP, HMGP,
BRIC, Cal
Fire Wildfire
Mitigation
Short-Term High
7 Study a location of historic seepage
from the Foothills Nature Preserve
Dam. This project will investigate and
monitor the seepage flow by
channelizing seepage flow and
potentially installing weir(s).

Dam-Levee Failure,
Earthquake, Flood,
Landslide, Climate
Change
Public Works /
Engineering
CIP, HMGP Short-Term High
8 Restore the width and height of the
earthen flood levee between Harbor
Road near the Baylands Interpretive
Center and the perimeter levee of the
airport to six inches above its original
height.

Dam-Levee Failure,
Flood, Tsunami, Climate
Change
CSD/Parks and Open
Space
CIP Short-Term Medium
9 Improve the quality of the tertiary-
treated recycled water by
microfiltration or ultrafiltration followed
by reverse osmosis to reduce the level
of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

Drought, Climate Change Public
Works/Environmental
Services
CIP Long-Term Medium
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 63
Action
Item
Number
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead Position,
Office, Department,
or Division
Responsible for
Implementation
Potential
Funding
Sources
Expected
Timeline
for
Completion
Priority
10 Evaluate options for protecting electric
substations from outside vandalism
and intrusion. If necessary, fences and
other protections will be repaired.

Security lighting will be designed and
issued for construction.

Terrorism and Weapons
of Mass Destruction,
Active Shooter
Utilities
Engineering/Electric

CIP, HMGP,
Federal-
State
Physical
Security
Funding for
Utilities
Short-Term Medium
Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 64

Figure 4: City of Palo Alto Critical Facilities

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 65

Figure 5: City of Palo Alto Critical Infrastructure

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 66

Figure 6: City of Palo Alto Flood Hazard Area

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 67

Figure 7: City of Palo Alto Deep-Seated Landslide Susceptibility

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 68

Figure 8: City of Palo Alto Liquefaction Susceptibility

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 69

Figure 9: City of Palo Alto Sea Level Rise Map

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 70

Figure 10: City of Palo Alto Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 71

Figure 11: City of Palo Alto Wildfire Hazard Classification

Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Volume 2: City of Palo Alto 72

Figure 12: City of Palo Alto Wildfire Risk to Structures