Town Storm Readiness
SUPER
El Nino
Meeting
Oct 6,
2026
10.A
SUPER EL NINO 2026
What it Means:
• What it is: An exceptionally strong El Niño, driven by equatorial Pacific waters more than 2°C above average, is expected to last into mid 2027. • California precipitation: Above-normal precipitation is favored statewide, with the strongest odds in Southern California (50–60%). • Temperatures: Northern California has a 33–40% chance of above-normal temperatures
• Precipitation: Since 1950, 9 ‘strong’ or ‘very strong’ El Niño years in Northern California. Of those, 3 were wet years, 3 were normal years, and 3 were dry years.
• Comparison: The historic 1986 and 2005 Floods in Napa Valley were NOT during an El Nino Season, no correlation with Atmospheric Rivers.
Bottom line: This historic El Niño El Niño will influence large-scale weather patterns, but it is not a local weather forecast.
EL NINO 2026
• Increased flooding and stormwater runoff
• Greater landslide and erosion risk
• Vineyard impacts from excessive rainfall and disease pressure • Road, utility, and infrastructure disruptions from severe storms
EL NINO YOUNTVILLE
Very strong El Niño likely: NOAA projects a greater than 90% chance for fall–winter 2026–27; NWS estimates 98%.
Wet winter not guaranteed: Storm tracks and individual events will determine Napa Valley impacts.
Primary Yountville risks: Intense rainfall, saturated soils, localized flooding, drainage overflow, runoff, and erosion.
Highest operational concern: Multiple storms arriving close together, limiting recovery time for soils and drainage systems.
Recommended readiness: Inspect and clear storm drains, culverts, and channels; verify pumps, generators, barricades, and response equipment.
Planning outlook: Maintain elevated preparedness from late fall 2026 through winter 2027 and coordinate with NWS as forecasts sharpen 1–2 weeks before storms.
Storm season preparedness items and current status
1 IN PLACE: 1ST WEEK OF
NOVEMBER
New Sandbag Location
Self-serve station moves to the Fire Station.
2 ACTIVE Oak Circle Spillway Alert System
Yellow beacon: use caution. Red beacon: do not proceed. 3 UNDERWAY Storm Drain Debris Cleanup
• Town crews are clearing storm drains townwide through the end of October. • Storm drain cleanup of Culverts at Washington Street and California Dr. • Weir and Storm drain cleanup on Finnel Drive.
5 Annual Flood Wall Training COMPLETED
Floodwalls located at Rancho de Napa and Bella Vista
Annual Flood Wall Training Hopper Creek Cleared Storm Drain Cleanup
PREPARATIONS
4 UNDERWAY County Cleanup
• County contractor cleared Hopper Creek from Oak Circle to north of Mulberry Bridge.
CHECKLIST
Public Works crew actions for a major storm event
Before Storm Season
☐ Clean storm drains, catch basins, culverts, and outfalls ☐ Inspect creeks, flood-prone areas, and drainage systems ☐ Test pumps, generators, and backup power
☐ Stock sandbags, barricades,
☐ Review staffing plans and emergency contacts
☐ Coordinate with emergency response partners
Before a Major Storm
☐ Clear known trouble spots and drainage inlets
☐ Stage pumps, sandbags, and traffic control devices
☐ Verify equipment readiness and staff assignments
☐ Monitor weather forecasts and creek conditions
During Storm
☐ Monitor flooding hot spots and critical infrastructure ☐ Respond to blocked drains and localized flooding
☐ Deploy road closures and traffic control as needed
☐ Document damages and response activities
After Storm
☐ Inspect and assess damage
☐ Remove debris and restore drainage capacity
☐ Restock supplies and equipment
☐ Conduct debrief and document lessons learned
Focus Areas: Hopper Creek, storm drain outfalls, low-lying roads, municipal facilities, and historic flooding locations.
IMPROVEMENTS
Oak Circle Spillway Alert System
• Residents can monitor real-time conditions via the
Town website, See Click Fix, or QR code shown.
• Flashing yellow and red beacons activate
automatically during a spillway overflow event.
• Yellow: proceed with caution.
• Red: do not proceed; seek an alternate
route.
Pump Station Upgrade: Float Controls to SCADA
• The station pumps stormwater out of Rancho de Napa during heavy storms. • SCADA adds remote monitoring so staff can confirm the pump is operating.
Capital and operational upgrades completed ahead of storm season 1 2
Mulberry Street Sewer Line Repair
• Highest inflow infiltration area identified in previous assessment. • Completed fold and form lining of sewer line.
3 RESIDENTIAL
PREPAREDNESS
☐ Pick up and pre-fill sandbags before storm events
☐ Clear leaves and debris from gutters, drains, and ditches ☐ Ensure downspouts, drain extensions, and any attached hoses are properly connected and directed away from your home.
☐ Monitor weather forecasts and Town alerts
☐ Park vehicles away from low-lying flood-prone areas
☐ Never drive through flooded roadways
☐ Stay away from creeks, drainage channels, and standing water ☐ Report flooding or storm-related hazards to the Town
☐ Inspect property and safely remove debris after the storm Prepare early. Sandbags are most effective when placed before flooding begins.
Sandbag location has moved!
• A sand pile and self-fill sandbags will
be available at the Fire Station 12 on
Solano Avenue.
• Parking in the golf course parking lot
New Sandbag
Location
Fire Station 12
REGIONAL PARTNERS
2026 Winter Storm Preparation
and Customer Support
11 What to Expect During an Outage
We will notify you if an
outage occurs and provide
you with updates during
and after the restoration
process through text
message, NextDoor posts,
email and phone call.
Power Restored
Outage Occurs
*If available at the time
Outage Update
Estimated Time of Restoration
Outage Update(s)/Restoration Time
Outage Cause and Planned Improvements*
For more information about an outage and restoration, visit pge.com/outages. .
12 Preparing and Staying Safe During Power Outages
Staying informed and prepared helps keep you and your family safe.
More information and preparedness tips
are available at pge.com/outageprep.
Before an Outage:
Create an emergency plan and find
backup power options
Update your contact information with
PG&E to ensure you receive alerts
Find out if you qualify for extra support
through the Medical Baseline Program
Apply for the Disability Disaster Access
and Resources at pge.com/ddar.
During an Outage:
View current outages and restoration
times at pge.com/outages.
Find local support by calling 211, texting
‘Prepare’ to 211-211 or visiting 211.org.
13 If an Outage Occurs
Stay away from downed powerlines and treat
them as if they are energized. Call 911, then
notify PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
View outage details or request updates on a
particular outage at pge.com/outages.
Use our “Report It” app or website
to submit non-emergency concerns about
equipment to PG&E. Learn more at
pge.com/reportit.
In case of an outage:
14 Online Resources to Prepare for Winter Storms
Review safety tips
and make an
emergency plan.
Safety Action Center
pge.com/safetyactioncenter
Explore backup power
program offerings and
eligibility requirements.
Backup Power
pge.com/backuppower
Update your contact
information to receive outage
alerts via text, phone or email.
Outage Alerts
pge.com/outages
These webpages can provide additional information and ways to prepare:
QUESTIONS