Community
How North State communities are preparing for possible winter flooding as El Niño strengthens
See how Redding, Chico and other North State communities are preparing for possible El Niño flooding, from sand pickup sites to reservoir and levee work.
Redding has opened three sand pickup sites, Nevada County is offering sand at five locations, and water managers are making room for winter runoff at Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar Reservoir. Across Northern California, those preparations are taking shape as a strengthening El Niño raises the odds of a wetter winter.
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center says El Niño is expected to last into spring 2027. Its October 15th outlook favored above average precipitation across much of California for November through January. That outlook describes the odds for the season as a whole. Local flood watches and warnings will come from forecasts for individual storms.
Redding adds a sand pickup site at Caldwell Park
The Redding City Council declared a local emergency on October 20th in anticipation of winter weather. The Redding Fire Department says the city now offers sand at three sites, including a newly added pile at the east end of Caldwell Park. The other sites are near the city corporation yard across from Redding Sports Park on Viking Way and at Redding Fire Station 4 at 2605 South Bonnyview Road.
Bring your own bags and shovel. Residents can take as much sand as they need, and the city says it will replenish supplies as needed throughout the winter. To report street flooding or an overflowing storm drain in Redding, call 530-224-6068 at any hour. Redding sand pickup and flood reporting
City crews are maintaining storm drains, trimming trees and clearing vegetation. Redding Electric Utility is also taking steps to protect equipment in areas prone to flooding and reduce the chance of outages. The Fire Department says wildfire prevention work by the utility, Redding Parks and fire crews also helps with storm readiness. Clearing overgrown vegetation and debris can keep that material from clogging storm drains.
The city is evaluating where more work is needed and says it will prioritize projects based on forecasts, local conditions, potential impacts and available resources. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts, look up their evacuation zone and follow city updates before storms arrive. AlertShasta signup · Evacuation zone lookup · City emergency resources · City newsletter
Chico clears leaves while Oroville and Yuba County make room for runoff
In Chico, the city’s regular leaf collection runs from November through January. Picking up leaves helps keep them out of storm drains and creeks, where debris can contribute to street flooding. Pickup days vary by neighborhood, and residents can follow the city’s crew map. Chico leaf collection and crew map
At Lake Oroville in Butte County, the California Department of Water Resources sets aside reservoir space for rain and snowmelt. As storms refill the lake, state operators coordinate releases with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Yuba Water Agency to help reduce peak flows downstream.
In Yuba County, New Bullards Bar Reservoir also sets aside winter flood storage. Local levee districts handle routine inspections and maintenance, and Yuba Water says it coordinates with other agencies on reservoir releases, levee monitoring and emergency response. The agency is also directing prospective levee patrol volunteers to a November 10th training in Plumas Lake. Yuba Water winter preparations and volunteer information
Levee work in Colusa and Sutter counties, training in Red Bluff
State crews removed debris near the Colusa Weir in September as part of flood system preparations. Across California, the state says it has staged about 4.4 million sandbags and 400,000 tons of rock for emergency levee repairs.
In Sutter County, an October 27th public notice describes a proposed project to address seepage and stability issues along part of the Sutter Bypass east levee. The plans call for raising the levee’s clearance above floodwater and installing underground barriers to reduce seepage.
In Red Bluff, California Conservation Corps crews from Redding, Chico and Siskiyou trained on October 29th, practicing sandbagging and other flood response techniques. The Tehama County Flood Control and Water Conservation District says it makes limited supplies of sand and bags available ahead of major storms expected to cause flooding. Red Bluff flood training · Tehama County flood information
Sand in the foothills and drainage maintenance on the coast
Nevada County began offering sand at no cost on November 1st. Residents need to bring a shovel and bags. The county lists five pickup sites, including the county warehouse near Highway 49 and East Broad Street in Nevada City, the Penn Valley Fire Protection District on Spenceville Road, and the Old Corporation Yard on Riverview Drive in Truckee. All five Nevada County sand pickup sites
Placer County has published a winter El Niño guide that brings together its sandbag locator, road closure dashboard and emergency alert signup. The county advises checking with suppliers before heading out for bags. On the North Coast, Del Norte County’s Roads Division maintains county flood control ditches and structures and responds during severe weather. Ready Placer winter guide · Del Norte County Roads Division
Humboldt County volunteers can help fill and deliver sandbags
Cal Poly Humboldt and Humboldt COAD are organizing volunteer days to help residents in King Salmon and Fields Landing prepare for winter flooding. Both communities flood regularly, and organizers are looking for volunteers who can fill sandbags and move them to residents’ properties, including homes where people may have difficulty doing the work themselves.
Organizers are aiming for Wednesday, November 11th, at 2 p.m. and Saturday, November 14th, at noon. Both dates are tentative and depend on weather and volunteer turnout. Organizers say they will contact volunteers if a session is canceled.
Volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants and bring gloves. Organizers will provide shovels and wheelbarrows and welcome anyone who can bring extras. Sign up to volunteer or email [email protected] with questions.
What residents can do before the next storm
Sign up for county emergency alerts, check whether your property is in a flood zone and plan how you would leave if your usual road closes. Clear leaves from gutters and downspouts and check private driveway culverts for debris before heavy rain arrives. If a road is covered by water, turn around and use another route. National Weather Service flood safety · North State Now weather