valleywate r.org
1 October 13, 2026
valleywater.or g
AGENDA 2
Joint Emergency Operations
and Preparedness
Community Assistance Programs
4 2
Creek Ownership and
Maintenance Responsibilities
Public Outreach and
Communications
3 1
SLIDE 02
valle ywate
r.org
3 Creek Ownership and Valley Water Maintenance Responsibilities No singular entity in
charge of creeks;
over 800 miles of
waterways
countywide.
Creek ownership is a
mosaic of ownership
by the city, county,
private parties, and
Valley Water.
Private property owners
retain duty to maintain their
respective properties in a
reasonably safe condition
that does not interfere with
a neighbor’s ability to enjoy
their property.
Valley Water has
constructed flood
protection projects
on approximately
185 miles.
Maintaining these
185 miles is a top priority
for Valley Water.
Valley Water manages
350 miles of waterways
where it has fee title or
easement.
THE CHALLENGES
SLIDE 03
valleywater.or g
4 City Roles and Responsibilities
4 2
• Ensure the storm sewer system is prepared
for wet-weather conditions
• Prepare field and office teams for storm
season operations
• Monitor weather, creek blockages and
known stream “hotspots” on city lands
3 1 PREPAREDNESS STORM RESPONSE
PUBLIC INFORMATION RECOVERY • Respond to City storm
-related issues,
including:
• Street debris, monitor bridge crossings,
road closures
• Localized sewer ponding and drainage
concerns
• Coordinate and direct Police, Fire, EMS,
and other human-service resources
• Initiate, communicate, and implement
appropriate safety actions
• Provide timely and coordinated public
communications
• Communicate storm impacts, response
activities, and safety information
• Support post-storm recovery efforts,
medical services, shelter, & community
needs
SLIDE 04
valleywater.or g
5 Valley Water Roles and Responsibilities
4 2
• Ensure flood protection infrastructure is
prepared for wet weather conditions
• Prepare field and office teams for storm
season operations
• Monitor weather, creek levels, and known
“hot spots”
3 1 PREPAREDNESS STORM RESPONSE
PUBLIC INFORMATION RECOVERY
• Respond to storm-related issues, including
obstructions on waterways managed by
Valley Water for flood protection
• Disperse sandbags for community use to
reduce flood risk
• Provide timely and coordinated public
communications
• Communicate storm impacts on flood
protection infrastructure
• Coordinate with local agencies and EOCs as
needed to share waterway conditions and
response activities
• Support post-storm recovery efforts on
flood protection facilities
SLIDE 05
valleywater.or g
6 ALEX GORDON / OFFICE OF SAFETY, EMERGENCY / EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND PREPAREDNESS / SLIDE 05 Community Assistance Programs - Sandbags
SLIDE 06
valleywater.or g
7 Flood Joint Emergency Action Plan (JEAP) • Signed by both Valley Water (VW) and City of San Jose (CSJ) • History (post 2017) o Use experience o Planning updates • Hot spots • Multi-departmental monitoring and response • Tools for VW and CSJ o Portals/gauges valleywater.or
g
8 SLIDE 08
• Interagency Coordination
o Valley Water and City of San Jose
• Anderson Dam Exercises
o Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
o Tabletop, Notification Drill, Functional Exercise
• EOC Operations and Improvements
o Validating process and procedures
o Supporting interagency preparedness
valleywate
r.org
Future Joint Storm Operations 9
SLIDE 09
Monitor
Hot Spots
Identify emergency
measures for
public safety
Water way
clearance
Immediacy
and contract
responsibilities
Take
coordinated
actions
valleywater.or g
Office of Communications Action Plan 10
SLIDE 10
1 EDUCATE
Updated
• Homepage, blogs,
FAQs and columns
• Speakers Bureau
presentation has
Creekside property
ownership
responsibility
information
• Community
meetings
presentations
includes El Niño
outreach
2 PREPARE
Current
• Creekside property
ownership guide
• Post storm-related
FAQs
• Launch creekside
property owners
campaign
• Creekside webinar
• Creekside Neighbor
Rebate Program
outreach
• Nextdoor posts with
hotspot maps
3 ACTIVATE
Throughout Winter Season
Targeted Flood Preparedness
outreach:
• Digital/social/outdoor
advertising
• Hot Spot doorhangers
and banners
• Mailers to FEMA SFHA
• Newsletters and blogs
• Weather alerts
• Partner toolkit
• Joint press conference
• Winter Preparedness
Workshop for partners
Know Your Creek. Know Your Role. Prepare Early.
valleywater.or g
11 SLIDE 11
valleywater.or g
12 Community Assistance Programs - Sandbags
SLIDE 12
valleywater.or
g
13 Community Assistance Programs
Creekside Neighbor
Rebate Program
Flood Preparedness
Information and Hotline
FEMA Resources &
Flood Insurance
Creekside Property Guidance
& Partner Support
SLIDE 13
valleywater.or g
14 Questions?