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San Francisco Is Ready for Rainy Season

Two men clear a storm drain ahead of rain season.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
November 12, 2025

Media Contact: 
communications@sfwater.org

San Francisco Is Ready for Rainy Season

City partners offer tools and programs to help San Franciscans prepare for wet weather

SAN FRANCISCO — The rainy season is rolling in, and San Francisco is ready. City agencies led by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco Public Works, and the Department of Emergency Management are working together to help residents and businesses reduce flooding where possible and make use of City resources to better protect their properties.
“A safe San Francisco depends on a reliable and effective emergency preparedness system, and that includes being ready for the rainy season,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Our city departments are prepared, and we’re giving residents the tools they need to be prepared for any weather. Together, we’re keeping San Francisco prepared and protected.”

“Climate change is fueling more intense storms but working together we’re building lasting resilience for our city,” said SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera. “From SFPUC crews that clear storm drains around the clock when it rains to improving how our city manages stormwater, to replacing aging pipes and making generational investments in a resilient combined sewer system, these are your ratepayer dollars at work.”

The City works year-round to prepare for and respond to storms. The SFPUC maintains San Francisco’s mostly combined sewer system, which carries both stormwater and wastewater through the same network of pipes. When it rains, stormwater entering storm drains flows into the same system that collects wastewater from our toilets, showers, and laundry. Before and during storms, SFPUC crews clear leaves and other debris from stormwater catch basins to keep water moving. Public Works handles street tree emergencies, provides free sandbags for San Francisco residents and businesses, and helps minimize street flooding. The Department of Emergency Management coordinates response efforts to ensure a unified citywide approach.

“Public Works and our City partners stand ready to respond to the winter storms,” said Public Works Director Carla Short. “Our crews are on the ground around the clock, working to keep the public safe and the City operational.”
Storm readiness tools include:

  • Floodwater Management Grant Program: The SFPUC offers eligible property owners up to $100,000 for flood protection improvements, such as backwater valves, flood barriers, water-resistant seals, sump pumps, and regrading to improve drainage.
  • Green Infrastructure Investments: The City is investing in projects that let rain soak into the ground instead of flowing into the collection system, reducing flooding, improving water quality, and creating greener neighborhoods. Since 2019, the SFPUC has awarded $30 million in grants to help schools, health care facilities, arts organizations, and other property owners build green infrastructure.
  • Flood Maps: The SFPUC’s 100-year storm flood risk map is a valuable tool for residents, helping them understand their flood risk and take steps to protect their properties. Sellers and landlords are required by law to disclose if a property is in a flood risk zone.
  • Free Sandbags: Residents and businesses may pick up to 10 free sandbags year-round from the Public Works Operations Yard, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (enter through Kansas and Marin Streets). Sandbags placed along doorways or driveways can provide a temporary barrier against flooding.
  • Be a Rain-Ready Neighbor: Residents can join the SFPUC’s Adopt-a-Drain and Rain Guardians programs by pledging to care for their neighborhood storm drains or rain gardens.
  • Community members are encouraged to report flooding, clogged drains, sewage backups, or odors by calling 311 or visiting sf311.org.
  • Long-term stormwater improvement projects: The SFPUC is investing $634 million in major infrastructure projects to boost the system's capacity to move stormwater in three low-lying areas:

“Being rain-ready is something we do together,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, Executive Director of the Department of Emergency Management. “City teams are preparing for storms, and residents can help by checking their emergency supplies, securing loose items, and joining programs like Adopt-a-Drain. A little preparation now makes a big difference when the rain starts to fall or power goes out.”

Details on these and other resources are available at sfpuc.gov/RainReadySF.

For media: Download B-roll of SFPUC vacuum trucks cleaning storm drains. Courtesy of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

About the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It delivers drinking water to 2.7 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area, collects and treats wastewater for the City and County of San Francisco, and meets 75% of the electricity demand in San Francisco. The SFPUC’s mission is to provide customers with high quality, efficient and reliable water, power, and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests, and sustains the resources entrusted to the agency's care. Learn more at sfpuc.gov.