City of Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annual Update
Reporting Period
The reporting period for this progress report is from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
Background
This is an annual update of the status of identified projects/actions listed in the City of Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023.
The City of Palo Alto, as part of the Santa Clara County multi-jurisdictional planning process (including participating local cities and special districts), developed a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan from 2022- 2023 to meet Federal guidelines and thereby reduce risk from all hazards by identifying resources, information, and strategies for risk reduction. The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires state and local governments to develop hazard mitigation plans as a condition for federal disaster grant assistance. To prepare the plan, the participating planning partners organized resources, assessed risks from natural hazards, developed planning goals and objectives, reviewed mitigation alternatives, and developed an action plan to address probable impacts from natural hazards. By completing this process, these jurisdictions maintained compliance with the Disaster Mitigation Act, achieving eligibility for mitigation grant funding opportunities afforded under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Volume I of the County plan provides the analysis of natural hazards for the Operational Area. It provides the content that informs the Palo Alto LHMP.
The 2023 MJMHP Base Plan - Volume 1 and the Palo Alto Annex -Volume 2 which articulates our local natural hazards and mitigation activities can be viewed online at paloalto.gov/lhmp.
Purpose
The purpose of this information report is to provide an update on the implementation of the mitigation actions identified in the 2023 Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, Palo Alto Annex. The objective is to maintain a planning process that will keep the Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan dynamic and responsive to the needs and capabilities of the City of Palo Alto and its stakeholders.
Summary Overview of the Plan’s Progress
The performance period for the 2023 Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan, Volume 1 became effective in February 2024 with the final approval of the plan by FEMA.
FEMA approved the the City of Palo Alto Local Jurisdictional Annex, Volume 2 in July 2024, and the Palo Alto City Council adopted Volume 1 and 2 on 7 October 2024. The performance period for this plan is 5 years.
As of this reporting period, the performance period for this plan is considered to be 44% complete (including completed, ongoing projects, and closed/discontinued projects). The Palo Alto Volume 2 includes hazard mitigation actions to be pursued during the 5-year performance period. This includes 17 actions that were part of the previous LHMP that were not completed, and 10 new actions. As of the reporting period, the following overall progress can be reported:
● 3 out of 27 initiatives (11%) have been completed.
● 7 out of 27 initiatives (26%) indicated work is conducted as an ongoing capability. ● 14 out of 27 initiatives (52%) reported progress toward completion. ● 1 out of 27 initiatives (4%) reported having not started. ● 2 out of 27 initiatives (7%) are closed and not will not be continued.
Review of the Action Plan
Appendix 1 provides the action plan, reporting the status of each initiative. Actions PA-2 through PA-38 were actions carried over from the previous 2017 LHMP. Actions 1-10 are new as of the 2023 LHMP. In the table, each action provides a description of the action, what hazard(s) applies to the action, the lead agency for the action, potential sources of funding, expected timeline for completion, the priority assigned to the action, and current status of the action.
Public review notice
The contents of this report are considered to be public knowledge and have been prepared for total public disclosure. Copies of the report may be provided to the governing boards of all planning partners and to local media outlets. Any questions or comments regarding the contents of this report should be directed to: City of Palo Alto OES, 650-617-3197 or [email protected].
Next Plan Update
The Office of Emergency Services will provide a Calendar Year 2026 update in February of 2027.
Appendix 1: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023: Calendar Year 2025 Projects Update
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 In Progress
The JPA's consultant began the analysis of alternatives and coordinate community meetings to present the alternatives.
The Alternative Evaluation Report will be finalized in 2026.
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 In Progress
Caltrans authorized the project to advance into the
construction phase and approved and programmed the
funding needed to replace the bridge and associated
improvements. Bid solicitation was completed and
construction contract was awarded to the Granite
Construction. Granite completed the tree removal and is working throught the submittal process. AT&T, Comcast, and PG&E completed the relocation of overhead lines and
removed the poles. Bridge project was intentionally delayed until Spring 2026, due to limited 2025 in-channel work
window. The project will begin in May 2026 and completed by December 2026.
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 - Engineering
Capital Improvement
Project (CIP): SD-
06101
Ongoing Medium Ongoing
The design for a capacity upgrade along Alester Drive was completed. The construction bids for the work were higher than expected and PWE decided to rebid the project next year so that the work could be done in Summer 2026, while school is not in session. This may likely reduce the cost of
construction.
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- Engineering/WGW CIP: WS-07001 Short-Term Medium Closed - Not completed. No Comments Required. Project is removed.
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 Ongoing Palo Alto's Community Rating System (CRS) continues to be 6.
This rating provides a 20% discount on the flood insurance rates that residents within the Special Flood Hazard Areas receive. All the tasks required to support the 2025 Multi- Jurisdictional PPI document were accomplished. In 2025 the CRS re-certification was delayed nationwide due to layoffs within the Federal government. Cycle visits that were
programmed for Fall 2026 were also affected. FEMA is
working on rescheduling visits that were skipped in 2025 along with those that should have occured in 2026.
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 Completed Construction was completed and the PSB received TCO in August 2025. A phased move in started in early September and will be completed in early 2026.
PA-11* Rebuild Fire Station 4 to reduce impact from seismic events Earthquake, Terrorism Public Works - Engineering CIP: PE-18004 Short-Term High In Progress Temporary Fire Station No. 4 was built at Cubberley Community Center, and staff moved in July 8, 2025. Construction of Fire Station No. 4 started December 1, 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in 18 months. The new station includes a training room, updated living quarters for a staff of five, two pull-through apparatus bays, one reserve apparatus bay, exercise room, and a Captain's office.
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 In Progress
Valley Water's contractor began the Tide Gate Seismic Retrofit and Rehabilitation project in September 2026. The project includes the install two piles on either side of the with concrete cap to provide structural reinforcement. This work is scheduled to be completed in January 2026. Valley Water's contractor will replace 8 of the existing tide gates as a separate phase of the project in September 2026. That work will be done by November 2026.
Action
Ite m
Number
Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead Position, Office,
Department, or
Division Responsible
for Implementation
Potential Funding
Sources
Expected
Timeline for
Completion
Priority Status Calendar Year 2025 Status Comments: Currect project status & anticipated actions over next 12 months
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
Public Works -
Environmental Services CIP: WQ-10001 Ongoing High In Progress AWPS: First major step was to relocate an 8" sewer line coming into the plant that would be in the way of the AWSP process. Second major step was to put in service a new blower that will treat the foul air for the influent flow of sewage into the facility. The previous treatment filter was located where the AWPS currentley is located. We are currently in our thrid major step have started to excavate the area to build the facility. We should be able to fix/update various pipes for the process and set the foundation for the facility by the end of the year. This project should conclude in the summer of 2027.
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
Utilities -
Engineering/Electric CIP: TBD Short-term Low In Progress Phases 1-3 and 5 have been completed with Phase 4 to be completed in June 2026. Electrical line and fiber have been run underground on Arastradero and most of Page Mill Road, with most utility poles also removed. 41,700' substructure has been completed out of 49,200'. Cable installation and
energization of 39,200' has been completed out fo 49,200'.
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 -
Engineering/Electric
CIP, HMGP, Pre-
Disaster Mitigation
(PDM)
Long-Term Medium In Progress
CAISO has approved a second transmission cooridor through their Transmission Planning Process (TPP). The Ames 115kV project is now approved for construction in 2034 or
afterwards. Additional review of area loads may advance this project to 2030. Approval for advance will come in May of 2026 with CAISO's 2025-2026 TPP.
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 - Parks and
Open Space
General Fund, HGMP Short-Term Medium Ongoing
In 2025, the FFMP working group updated a multi-year
contract with the Santa Clara County Firesafe Councl to perform the majority of the fuel treatment work required outside of the Foothills and Arastradero Nature Preserves.
This enabled the accomplishment of the annual required work along the three evacuation routes designated by the CWPP- FFMP. All required fuels reduction work was completed
including those by CSD Open Space Rangers and contracted labor.
PA-29* Consider a policy for Seismic Retrofitting of earthquake prone structures. Earthquake Planning and Development Services General Fund Short-Term Low In Progress
Contract approved Feb 2025, consultant work began in May 2025, community advisory group was formed and met twice (once in August and once in October). Consultant completed several background reports and prepared an ordinance
outline before the end of the year. Staff will bring outline and updates to Policy & Services Committee in early 2026 for further direction. Draft ordinance targeted for mid-2026 with Council consideration by the end of 2026.
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 Ongoing
Public Safety departments continue to engage our community at various events throughout the year to rasie awareness, lower personal risks, and increase preparedness. This
includes social media messaging, classes, conversations at events, emergency messaging, and online content.
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
Planning and Development
Services HMGP, PDM, FMA Short-Term Medium Ongoing
The City maintains a record of repetitive loss structures in high hazard areas but the City is not considering purchase or relocation of these structures in the next 12 months.
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
Planning and Development
Services
Staff Time; General
Fund Ongoing High Ongoing
Planning and Development Services, in partnership with other departments, is in the process of updating the City's Safety Element. This will include incorporating additional references to the LHMP. The Safety Element Update is anticipated to be completed by June 30, 2026. Two area plans underway and continuing in 2026, the Downtown Housing Plan and San
Antonio Road Area Plan, evaluate hazard mitigation planning as part of the plan development process.
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 Ongoing The City is in compliance with the stated maintenance protocols.
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 In Progress
Completed a Benefit-Cost Analysis of seismically retrofitting the two tanks was completed in 2025. Since the City already completed a series of seismic retrofits throughout the
drinking water system, the analysis indicated a benefit cost of less than 1 to complete this work. Additional seismic
structural analysis will be completed in 2026; however, scope 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 In Progress About 0.5 mile of water main planned for FY2027. 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 Completed These generators have been furnished to City. 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 CIP, HMGP, BRIC Ongoing Low Not Started Solicitation for the Water System Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan (Water Master Plan) expected to be
solicited in 2026.
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 Completed
Completion of the assessment for electrification of City facilities will provide a strategy to reduce natural gas use at City Facilities, an essential component of the S/CAP Goal of reducing GHG emissions from the direct use of natural gas in Palo Alto's building sector by at least 60% below 1990 levels. Electrification of City facilities will also provide data and best practices that can be shared with commercial building electrification efforts. The City will learn first hand what processes can be streamlined and improved to make electrification easier and cost effective for commercial buildings.
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/Electric
CIP, HMGP, BRIC,
Cal Fire Wildfire
Mitigation
Short-Term High In Progress
Utility Substructure for Phases 1, 2, 3, and 5 are completed.
Phase 4 construction has been approved and is currently in construction. The project is expected to be completed before the end of June 2026.
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 In Progress In spring 2025, City’s consultant installed a seepage weir on the downstream side of the Foothill Nature Preserve Dam as requested by the Department of Water Resources’ Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). The weir is expected to provide
quantitative measurements of the seepage flow for further evaluation. This is an ongoing effort and staff will continue to investigate seepage trend for future long-term solution under the guidance from the DSOD.
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
Community Services
Department - Parks and
Open Space
CIP Long-term Low Closed - Not
Completed
A permanent CIP is not likely to occur in the next several years. The Army Corps of Engineers determined the cost to benefit ratio does not support federal funding for this project currently. They will re-evaluate in 2040.
New Actions from 2023 Planning Process
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 In Progress AWPS: First major step was to relocate an 8" sewer line coming into the plant that would be in the way of the AWSP process. Second major step was to put in service a new blower that will treat the foul air for the influent flow of sewage into the facility. The previous treatment filter was located where the AWPS currentley is located. We are currently in our thrid major step have started to excavate the area to build the facility. We should be able to fix/update various pipes for the process and set the foundation for the facility by the end of the year. This project should conclude in the summer of 2027. 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 In Progress The remaining two substations are in design and pending final review. Construction is expected to resume in late 2026.