Marin is preparing for a range of possible winter impacts, including heavy rain, flooding, erosion, landslides, downed trees, power outages and travel disruptions.
No one can predict exactly where or when impacts will occur. The goal is to have infrastructure, equipment, crews and emergency operations ready as conditions develop.
Marin’s geography creates very different risks from one community to another.
Coastal and bayside areas, low-lying neighborhoods, creek corridors, hillsides, valleys and rural communities can all experience different impacts from the same storm.
That is why residents are encouraged to understand the risks around their home, workplace and regular travel routes.
Flooding is one of the hazards the County is preparing for, but it is too early to know exactly where, when or how severely flooding may occur.
The greatest concern is when several conditions happen together: heavy rain, saturated ground, high tides and strong winds.
No system can prevent all flooding during a major storm.
Drains, pumps, sandbags, temporary barriers and other measures can reduce risk, but severe weather can overwhelm even well-prepared systems.
The County’s job is to reduce risks where possible, keep infrastructure working, prepare crews and equipment, monitor conditions and respond quickly when problems develop.
County departments and partner agencies are working now to:
- Clear and inspect drainage systems.
- Check flood-control facilities and pump stations.
- Prepare pumps, sandbags and other emergency equipment.
- Watch weather, rainfall and tide forecasts.
- Train and exercise with emergency-response partners.
- Plan where crews and equipment may be needed most.
- Strengthen public information and warning systems.
- Pay extra attention to areas that have flooded before.
County preparation and household preparation work together.
The County is preparing public infrastructure, emergency resources and response systems. Residents and businesses can help by preparing their property, planning for outages and road closures, knowing their local risks and being ready to follow emergency instructions.
Do not wait until a major storm is in the forecast.
Start with a few basics:
- Sign up for AlertMarin.
- Know the risks where you live, work and travel.
- Make a household emergency plan.
- Prepare emergency supplies and a “Go Bag” and “Stay Bag”
- Plan for possible power outages.
- Clear gutters and drainage around your property where appropriate.
- Know where sandbags are available.
- Identify alternate travel routes but try to stay off the roads during flooding.
- Check on neighbors who may need extra help.
Think about how severe weather could affect you personally.
Is your home or business in a low-lying, coastal, hillside or historically flood-prone area? Could your normal road home become blocked? How would you manage a long power outage? What would you do if you needed to leave quickly?
Knowing the answers before a storm makes it much easier to act.
King Tides are some of the highest tides of the year.
High tides can make it harder for rainwater to drain into the Bay. When very high tides and heavy rain happen at the same time, flooding can become worse in low-lying and coastal areas.
King tides Marin County for the upcoming winter/fall 2026–2027 season are officially anticipated on these dates:
- November 24–26, 2026 (around Thanksgiving)
- December 23–25, 2026 (around Christmas Eve/Day)
- January 21–22, 2027
The County cannot deliver sandbags to individual homes. If you need help picking up or placing sandbags, ask a neighbor, friend or family member to assist.
Contact your insurance agent and ask about flood insurance. Standard homeowners and renters policies generally do not cover flooding. Purchase coverage early as there is typically a 30-day or more waiting period before a flood insurance policy takes effect.
As forecasts become clearer, public information will become more specific.
For significant storms or high-tide events, County teams may begin assessing conditions several days ahead and increase public updates as the potential impacts become better understood.
The goal is to give people useful information early enough to act.
Emergency information will not rely on a single website or social media account.
The County will use AlertMarin, news media, social media, community organization outreach, cities and towns communications tools, multilingual materials, local partners and targeted outreach in higher-risk areas.
Stay informed and avoid unnecessary risks.
- Follow emergency alerts and official instructions.
- Avoid unnecessary travel during the worst conditions.
- Never drive, walk or bike through floodwater.
- Stay away from fast-moving creeks and downed power lines.
- Expect road closures and allow extra travel time.
- Leave promptly if officials tell you to evacuate.
Before severe weather arrives:
- Sign up for AlertMarin
- Visit emergency.marincounty.gov
- Visit ReadyMarin.org for preparedness information
- Alerts: AlertMarin
- Emergency Updates: Emergency.Marincounty.gov
- Report Issues: FixItMarin – website or app
- Local Information: Your City/Town Emergency Website
- Sandbags: County Interactive Map
- Know Your Hazards: County Interactive Hazard Map