PREPARE FOR EL NIÑO!
STORM AND FLOODING SEASON
2026/2027
It's time for Stinson Beach to start preparing for a big winter storm and tide season, and residents, businesses, and property owners have an important role to play.
Our advice: A little preparation now can make a big difference when storms arrive.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern involving warmer-than-average ocean temperatures and has historically been associated with wetter conditions in parts of California.
A strong El Niño can increase the potential for significant rainfall, storms and storm surge across our coast line but the timing, location, and intensity of individual storms remain difficult to predict.
Stinson Beach could experience heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, downed trees, landslides, power outages, flooding, structural damage from ocean waves and transportation disruptions. These possible outcomes are why preparing ahead of time matters.
What you Should Expect
This year’s El Nino is combining with abnormally high king tides. This combination of lunar tides and the El Nino event may cause greater than normal flooding in our community.
The high tides are expected to align with the holidays and beyond
Thanksgiving, Nov 23- 26
Christmas Weekend, Dec 23 - 26
January 21 - 24
February 19 - 22
Current forecasts indicate:
The likelihood of impactful winter weather is higher than normal. Not a major single disaster but rather multiple prolonged storm systems that can have major impacts.
Likely hazards include: back-to-back storm systems, including atmospheric rivers; coastal flooding and king tides; beach and cliff erosion; high surf; and elevated sea levels.
Other concerns include: creek, river, and urban flooding; power outages and unplanned power outages; transportation disruptions; and potential evacuations.
Start Preparing Now
Don't wait for a storm warning to get ready. Supplies and services may be in high demand once severe weather is forecast.
If you live in a low lying area that has experienced flooding in the past, do your storm prep and shelter prep well in advance.
Work to get 10 filled sandbags on your property before the first big storms hit in November. There is a sandbag filling station at the Fire Station annex at 100 Calle Del Arroyo.
Do you need door or window protection? You should have these materials on hand before the storms hit.
Prepare to be self sufficient (food, lights and batteries, etc) for 72hrs without power.
Make an Emergency Plan
Talk with the people in your household about what you will do if roads are closed, the power goes out, or you need to leave your home.
If Stinson Beach is a vacation destination or a second home, be prepared to make alternate plans during heavy weather.
Decide where you would go, what you will need to take with you. Include anyone who may need additional assistance.
Do you have neighbors, friends, or family members who may need help? Reach out to the Disaster Corps (sbdc94970@gmail.com) to make sure these people are on our “At Risk” list so that we can check in with them before and during a storm event.
Sign Up for Alert Marin
Make sure you can receive timely emergency information. Sign up for AlertMarin and set up your phone to bypass “Do not disturb” so you always see the alerts no matter the time.
Use the Marin County Emergency Portal
A trusted source for incident related information (weather advisories, power outages, evacuation orders) and the best place to find out which roads are closed. Bookmark for easy access
PGE Outage Map
This link allows you to add your address for specific information about outages in your neighborhood. It also shows region wide outages, and it will keep you appraised of when you can expect your power to be back on.