The City of Healdsburg encourages residents and businesses to prepare now for winter storms. Taking a few practical steps before heavy rain and strong winds arrive can help protect your household, reduce property damage and make it easier to respond if conditions change.
Preparedness is especially timely this year, with El Niño conditions predicted, but flooding and other storm impacts can occur during any winter, regardless of the seasonal outlook.
In Healdsburg, storms can cause rising rivers and creeks, localized street flooding, downed trees, power outages and road closures. Even if your home has never flooded, changing road conditions and utility interruptions can affect your household.
The city is always reviewing flood response procedures, coordinating across departments and preparing for potential storm impacts. The city has put extra effort this year into repairing damaged culverts, removing sediment that can cause backups and other preventive maintenance.
Residents and businesses play an essential role by preparing their properties, making household plans and staying informed.
Before storms arrive:
- Stay informed. Sign up for local emergency notifications through HealdsburgEmergency.org. Follow official city updates and National Weather Service forecasts, and keep your notification contact information current.
- Make a household plan. Know more than one way out of your neighborhood, decide where you could go if you need to leave and identify someone outside the area your household can contact. Plan for pets and anyone who may need help with transportation or other support.
- Prepare emergency supplies. Have drinking water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries, warm clothing and phone chargers available. Keep a go-bag ready in case you need to leave quickly. Plan for essential medical equipment and other needs that depend on electricity.
- Prepare your property. Clear leaves and debris from gutters and private drains where safe, secure outdoor items and check the city’s website for emergency information. Sandbag materials will be staged at the Abel De Luna Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave., in advance of storms. If your property or street has flooded before, plan to move vehicles, equipment and valuables before water rises.
- Check on neighbors. Discuss how you can help one another prepare, receive emergency information and leave safely if necessary.
- When storms approach, charge your devices, review your plans and monitor official updates. Avoid unnecessary travel during hazardous conditions, allow extra time when travel is necessary and be prepared to use alternate routes.
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Never walk or drive through floodwater, which can conceal strong currents, debris and damaged pavement. Follow evacuation instructions and respect road closures, even if a road appears passable.
- Stay away from downed trees or power lines. Operate generators outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents. Never use a generator, barbecue or camp stove inside a home or garage.
- Businesses: Review employee communication plans, protect important records and equipment, and prepare for interruptions to power, deliveries and access.
Preparing now helps keep Healdsburg safer and supports the crews responding during storms. Visit HealdsburgEmergency.org for preparedness information and links to emergency notifications.
