This Bay Area County Prepares For Floods, Other Severe Weather Events

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Department of Public Works has begun storm season preparations in Marin to reduce flooding risks that may cause downed trees, landslides, damaged roadways and flooded streets, officials said.

Marin's DPW works with cities to conduct annual maintenance on creeks, levees and other infrastructure from late spring to mid-October, primarily in the summer.

Before the rainy season, residents should clear driveways, gutters, and storm drains of leaves, disposing of them in compost bins, not street gutters, officials said. Remove any street gutter obstructions, like rubber ramps, near driveways. Those in flood-prone areas should test sump pumps and stock up on sandbags, officials said.

The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District manages storm preparation in eight flood control zones. Within these zones, it maintains 37 miles of creeks and channels, over 14 miles of levees, 1.3 miles of floodwalls, 18 permanent pump stations, one temporary pump station, seven portable pumps and various stormwater basins.

Crews manage vegetation along creek banks for water flow and habitat protection. Creeks are also inspected for sediment, which can clog flow and cause flooding. Sediment will be removed from Vineyard Creek in Novato and Crest Marin Creek in Tam Valley this summer. Additionally, crews inspect, maintain and repair over 14 miles of levees and timber-reinforced berms, fortifying them and filling rodent burrows to prevent leaks, official said.

District and DPW Facility Maintenance staff annually inspect and service 18 permanent pump stations, including pumps, debris racks, and wet wells. Officials said these pumps are crucial for reducing flood risk in neighborhoods like Tiburon’s Bel Aire, Strawberry Circle, Santa Venetia, Granton Park, lower Tamalpais Valley, and Novato, by moving stormwater from low-lying areas into creeks and out to the San Francisco and San Pablo bays.

DPW's Road Maintenance Division annually prepares for storm season by inspecting and cleaning storm drains, catch basins, roadside ditches, culverts, inlets, and flow pipes in unincorporated areas to prevent flooding and erosion. Crews also monitor storm drains, trash racks, and pump stations before, during, and after storms.

Residents can sign up for the Alert Marin notification system to be aware of emergency situations.