How San Francisco Residents Can Get Ready for El Niño: Free Sandbags, Flood Maps and $100,000 Grants

California is preparing for what federal forecasters say could be one of the strongest El Niño winters on record. On September 21, 2026, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a statewide state of emergency ahead of the season, citing forecasts that put the chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter at more than 90 percent. San Francisco’s own storm tools are already running: free sandbags, a citywide flood map, and grants of up to $100,000 for property owners who flood-proof their buildings. Here is what’s available and how to use it.

What the State Declared

According to the governor’s office, the proclamation directs state agencies to stage sandbags and pumps for flood response, pre-position equipment along the highways at highest risk, activate the California National Guard for flood response and search-and-rescue, and fast-track environmental permits for preparation work. Caltrans is staging road-closure and traffic-control equipment. The same announcement says federal forecasters put a 75 percent probability on the event reaching historic strength.

The state’s advice to residents is short: sign up for local emergency alerts at listoscalifornia.org/alerts, check your flood risk, make an evacuation plan with supplies, and never drive through floodwater.

Free Sandbags From Public Works

San Francisco Public Works gives out free sandbags to San Francisco residents and businesses year-round. The details:

Where: the Public Works operations yard at 2323 Cesar Chavez St., entering at the Marin Street and Kansas Street gate.

When: Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

How many: up to 10 per household. Bring proof of a San Francisco address. You load the bags into your own vehicle, with limited exceptions.

Public Works has stocked 25,000 sandbags for public distribution this season, the San Francisco Standard reported. Hardware and home improvement stores also sell them.

Check Your Block on the Flood Map

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission publishes a flood risk map showing which blocks are expected to flood in a 100-year storm. Sellers and landlords are legally required to disclose if a property is in one of those zones, per the SFPUC. If you rent or own on a mapped block, that is where sandbags at doorways and garage entrances do the most work.

Grants for Property Owners

The SFPUC’s Floodwater Management Grant Program offers eligible property owners up to $100,000 for flood-proofing work: backwater valves, flood barriers, water-resistant seals, sump pumps and regrading. The agency lists details under its Rain Ready SF program at sfpuc.gov/RainReadySF.

Reporting Flooding and Clogged Drains

Report street flooding, clogged storm drains and sewer backups to 311, by phone at (415) 701-2311, or at sf311.org. The SFPUC also runs Adopt-a-Drain, which asks volunteers to keep a neighborhood storm drain clear of leaves before and during storms.

If You’re Visiting This Winter

Pack a rain shell, check what’s happening in October for indoor alternatives, and watch for coastal closures along the Great Highway and Ocean Beach, where the city is still planning its long-term seawall project.

Photo: San Francisco Public Works.