Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved an additional $3.021 million investment in winter storm preparedness on September 29, expanding the County's ability to reduce flood risk, protect critical infrastructure and respond effectively to winter weather in the months ahead.
The investment reflects Marin's ongoing commitment to stay ahead of the weather rather than only react to it. This winter's higher-confidence hazards include back-to-back storm systems involving atmospheric rivers, coastal flooding and king tide events, beach and cliff erosion, high surf, and elevated sea levels that surround the Marin peninsula. With that outlook in mind, the County is using the months before peak season to strengthen infrastructure, stage equipment and sharpen coordination.
“Preparing for winter storms is a shared responsibility, and Marin County is doing its part now,” said Board President Eric Lucan. “By investing before the storms arrive, we are strengthening our flood protection, positioning resources where they may be needed and improving our ability to respond quickly. We are asking residents and businesses to prepare now as well, particularly in communities that are most vulnerable to flooding.”
The largest share of the County’s investment, approximately $2.27 million, will go toward public works infrastructure and flood-response resources, including temporary flood barriers, sandbags and reusable flood-protection systems; deployment and installation support; tide gates, check valves and drainage-system protections; pre-filled sandbags; and mobile sandbag-filling equipment.
Another $390,000 will support Marin County Parks' flood and erosion protection work, including improvements at the McInnis Marsh berm and McNears Beach seawall. The remaining supporting emergency preparedness communications efforts and disaster operations.
“The majority of this investment is going directly into flood-protection infrastructure, equipment and materials that we can put to work in our communities,” said Robin Bartlett, Assistant Director of Marin County Public Works. “We can’t eliminate the risk of flooding or know exactly what this winter will bring, but we can take reasonable steps now to strengthen vulnerable infrastructure and reduce the risk to homes, neighborhoods and critical public facilities.”
County preparations can reduce risk, but they cannot eliminate the possibility of flooding. Temporary flood-protection measures can also be affected by rainfall, tides, runoff, storm duration and changing conditions.
Residents, businesses and property owners, particularly in flood-prone areas, are encouraged to prepare before storms arrive:
- Sign up for AlertMarin and monitor weather and emergency information.
- Obtain sandbags and other supplies before severe weather.
- Clear private drains and gutters and take steps to protect property.
- Maintain emergency supplies and be prepared for outages or evacuation.
The County plans to continue coordinating with Marin’s cities, towns, special districts, fire agencies, and community organizations to provide timely and consistent preparedness information throughout the winter season.
Learn more about preparing for winter flooding: El Niño & Winter Storm | ReadyMarin.