San Francisco strengthens storm readiness with major stormwater and infrastructure investments

As California’s rainy season begins, San Francisco city agencies are taking coordinated action to reduce flooding risks and improve storm resilience. Led by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Public Works, and the Department of Emergency Management, the city is working to protect residents and businesses through preparedness programs, infrastructure upgrades, and green stormwater initiatives.

“A safe San Francisco depends on a reliable and effective emergency preparedness system, and that includes being ready for the rainy season,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie in a press release. “Our city departments are prepared, and we’re giving residents the tools they need to be prepared for any weather.”

The SFPUC operates San Francisco’s combined sewer system, which collects both wastewater and stormwater through a single network of pipes. Crews clear debris from catch basins before and during storms to prevent backups, while Public Works provides free sandbags, handles tree emergencies, and manages flood-prone areas.

“Climate change is fueling more intense storms but working together we’re building lasting resilience for our city,” said Dennis Herrera, SFPUC general manager, in a press release. “From SFPUC crews that clear storm drains around the clock when it rains to improving how our city manages stormwater, to replacing aging pipes and making generational investments in a resilient combined sewer system, these are your ratepayer dollars at work.”

The city’s RainReadySF program offers residents practical tools to prepare, including:

• Floodwater Management Grant Program offering up to $100,000 for property-level flood protection upgrades.

• Green infrastructure investments, with $30 million awarded since 2019 to projects that capture and infiltrate stormwater on-site.

• Flood risk mapping, to help property owners understand and disclose flood hazards.

• Free sandbags, available year-round at the Public Works Operations Yard.

• Community involvement, through programs like Adopt-a-Drain and Rain Guardians.

San Francisco is also investing $634 million in long-term stormwater improvements across three low-lying areas: the Wawona, Folsom, and Lower Alemany area stormwater improvement projects.

“Being rain-ready is something we do together,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of the Department of Emergency Management, in a press release. “City teams are preparing for storms, and residents can help by checking their emergency supplies, securing loose items, and joining programs like Adopt-a-Drain.”

Details on resources can be found here.