NewsSFistOctober 23, 2026San Francisco County
San Francisco Mayor Declares Local Emergency for El Niño Preparedness
Photo: SFist
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie declared a local emergency to allow city departments to bypass standard contracting requirements and acquire flood supplies more quickly ahead of expected severe winter storms. The emergency declaration permits expedited purchasing of items such as flood barriers, pumps, and generators, and enables funding redirection and coordinated response efforts.
Read the full story at SFistWhy It Matters
City departments can accelerate the procurement of emergency equipment and supplies to protect local residents, businesses, and infrastructure from forecasted severe storms and coastal flooding.
Key Facts
- San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie declared a local emergency in response to a potentially record-breaking El Niño winter.
- The declaration allows designated city departments to bypass standard contracting requirements for emergency supplies.
- Streamlined purchasing applies to departments including Public Works, the Public Utilities Commission, the Port, SFMTA, Recreation and Park, and SFO.
- The city is authorized to redirect funding and coordinate its response through the Emergency Operations Center.
- Procurement targets include flood barriers, pumps, generators, first-aid supplies, shelter materials, and portable restrooms.
- San Francisco Public Works provides up to 10 free sandbags per address year-round.
- Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency regarding winter weather in September.
- Sonoma County supervisors issued an emergency proclamation to prepare vulnerable infrastructure.
- Caltrans is raising sections of Highway 37 by 3 feet to prevent flooding.
- Highway 37 between Mare Island and Sears Point is scheduled for weekend closures for construction work.
Who's Mentioned
locationHighway 37“Roadway undergoing emergency improvements”PersonCarmen Chu“City Administrator”PersonDaniel Lurie“Mayor of San Francisco”OrganizationSan Francisco Public Works“City department included in the emergency streamlining”OrganizationSan Francisco International Airport“City department included in the emergency streamlining”locationMare Island“Location in Vallejo along Highway 37”locationVallejo“City near Highway 37”locationSears Point“Location along Highway 37”OrganizationCaltrans“Making emergency improvements to Highway 37”locationNovato“Location near Highway 37”OrganizationEmergency Operations Center“Coordinates the city's response”OrganizationSan Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency“City department included in the emergency streamlining”OrganizationDepartment of Emergency Management“Coordinates preparations for coastal flooding and power outages”locationSonoma“County used for detours and issued its own emergency proclamation”OrganizationPort of San Francisco“City department included in the emergency streamlining”OrganizationRecreation and Park“City department included in the emergency streamlining”PersonGavin Newsom“Governor of California”locationNapa“County used for detours”OrganizationSan Francisco Public Utilities Commission“City department included in the emergency streamlining”