Understand El Niño
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern involving warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific. It can influence weather around the world and has historically been associated with wetter conditions in parts of California.
A strong El Niño can increase the potential for significant rainfall, but it cannot tell us exactly when or where individual storms will occur.
What Marin could experience
Marin could experience heavy rain and strong winds, high tides and coastal flooding, creeks and drainage systems filling quickly, downed trees and landslides, power outages, road flooding and travel disruptions, and back-to-back storm systems.
Explore the four steps
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Know Your Risk & Protect Your Home
Understand how flooding, landslides, and other winter hazards could affect the places you live, work, and travel.
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Prepare Yourself & Your People
Make a plan, gather essential supplies, and take simple steps now to help everyone in your household—including pets—be ready.
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Stay Safe & Informed During the Storm
Know where to get trusted information, what to watch for, and what actions to take when winter weather arrives.
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What the County Is Doing to Prepare
Learn how Marin County is strengthening infrastructure, coordinating services, and preparing operations for winter storms.
Upcoming Town Halls
Ross Valley El Nino Town Hall
Meeting Details
Join Supervisor Brian Colbert and emergency preparedness leaders for a community Town Hall on getting ready for winter storms.
- Monday, October 19, 2026
- 6 p.m.
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College of Marin
Center for Student Success, CSS Room 200
Kentfield, CA 94904
United States
Southern Marin El Nino Town Hall
Meeting Details
Join Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters and emergency preparedness leaders for a community Town Hall on getting ready for winter storms.
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- 6:30 p.m.
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Mill Valley Community Center
Mill Valley, CA 94941
United States
Assess Your Local Risk
Winter storms can affect different areas of Marin in different ways. Use the interactive map to explore potential flooding, landslides, and other hazards near your home, workplace, or regular travel routes.
Enter an address or location to get started.