Mayor Daniel Lurie today declared a local emergency as San Francisco prepares for El Niño winter hazards, including severe storms and coastal flooding. With demand rising for flood-protection materials and services across California, the declaration waives certain city contracting requirements to allow departments to secure goods and services needed for El Niño preparations more quickly. Led by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), city departments are already coordinating preparations to protect residents, ensure continuity of essential services, and respond as conditions change.

When championing San Francisco’s programs, Mayor Daniel Lurie is not shy about getting his feet wet and leading from the front lines. During a major storm last year, he jumped in to help clear a drain and highlight the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) Adopt a Drain program.

Born and raised in Ireland, Niall Healy moved to the United States when he was 19. His career has taken him across the country and through a variety of challenging jobs, including underground tunnel work for Muni’s Central Subway Project. About three years ago, he found his way to the SFPUC and its streetlights team. It’s a role that has given him a new and bright connection to the city he calls home.

For Jesse Ahluwalia, owning a laundromat is about much more than washing and drying clothes – it's about being part of a community and providing an essential service. Jesse, a longtime San Francisco resident and owner of The Laundry Corner, sees his business in the Inner Richmond as a neighborhood gathering place, where he knows his customers, greets them on the street and plays a small but meaningful role in their everyday lives.