We Are Storm Ready

The Department of Utilities and the Department of Public Works work year-round to help prepare for winter storms.

During the summer, crews assist in maintaining channels, canals and creeks by removing weeds and debris that can impede water flow during winter storms.

We inspect and maintain floodgates throughout the City. We also inspect and maintain drainage inlets, pumps and generators, which are vital tools to removing water from our streets and discharging storm water into our local waterways.

We prepare by storing materials close to floodgates or areas prone to flooding. Not only does this provide easy access to materials when needed, but also it helps City crews to open a sandbag station within two hours of being instructed to do so.

We hold drills to rehearse floodgate closures to ensure that we can quickly get them closed in an emergency.

We prune the City’s 100,000 public trees on a 10-year cycle and respond promptly to calls about trees that may pose a safety hazard.

During a storm event, extra crews are on-call after hours responding to hundreds of calls to 311.

A worker prepares for the coming storm season by keeping trees pruned.

Are you storm ready?

A "claw" dumps leaves and foliage into a collection truck to keep streets clear and prevent localized flooding. Before the storm:

Limit leaf disposal on the street. During Leaf Season, customers are encouraged to fill their yard waste container FIRST before putting leaves on the street for collection. If a storm is expected, leave your leaves on your lawn until you are closer to your anticipated collection day. If you have a pile of leaves on the street, please use a broom to ensure that water can flow down the gutter and to the nearest storm drain.

If your property floods, buy sand bags. Don’t wait for an emergency. Sacramento will only distribute sand bags if flooding is imminent and an emergency is declared by the City Manager. Take action in advance to protect your property.

Get flood insurance. Check out Be Flood Ready for more information. Have an emergency plan in place! Visit Sacramento Ready for more information on how you can prepare your family and community for a flooding disaster.

During a storm

Report storm related hazards to 311. Call or email us about street flooding, fallen trees or limbs, plugged storm drains or culverts, traffic signals or street lights out, or street signs down. Calls about down trees and limbs will only be cleared from the roadway. Clean up crews will return to pick up debris after the storm. Please postpone non-urgent non-storm related calls to 311 until the storm dissipates.

Look for updates. Information will be provided to local media and Sacramento Ready. Also, be checking creek and stream levels.