City Hall: Alan Wong

City Hall City Hall: Alan Wong By San Francisco Richmond ReView on November 13, 2026 • ( Leave a comment ) El Niño Is Coming: Is S.F. Ready? San Franciscans are accustomed to living with uncertainty. We know that earthquakes are a fact of life, that coastal weather can be unpredictable and that the next emergency may arrive with little warning. With forecasts pointing to a particularly strong El Niño this winter, now is the time to examine how prepared our City is. For residents of the Sunset District, this is an especially important concern. Our neighborhoods sit along the Pacific Ocean, exposed to powerful winter storms, high winds and coastal conditions that can change quickly. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm storm drains and flood streets and homes. Strong winds can bring down trees and power lines. or our seniors, residents with disabilities and families with young children, even a relatively short disruption to services can become a serious hardship. We cannot control the weather. But we can control how well we prepare for it. Preparedness begins long before the first storm arrives. That means ensuring our storm drains and catch basins are maintained, identifying locations with recurring flooding problems and making sure City agencies have clear plans for responding when conditions deteriorate. It means examining the reliability of our electrical infrastructure, the availability of emergency resources and the systems we depend on to communicate with residents when something goes wrong. City agencies must be prepared to respond quickly to flooding, deploy emergency resources where they are needed and communicate effectively with residents, including those who may not have access to smartphones or speak English as their primary language. These responsibilities are critical when power outages and communications disruptions complicate emergency response, and how we warn people of danger. San Francisco’s outdoor emergency warning sirens have been out of service since 2019. While the City has other emergency notification systems, including AlertSF, we must recognize that no single method of communication reaches everyone. Not every resident has a smartphone or is enrolled in emergency alerts. During a major disaster, electrical and communications networks may be compromised. That is why I have advocated for restoring our outdoor emergency warning sirens, particularly in coastal neighborhoods where timely warnings can be critical. A reliable emergency warning system should use multiple methods to reach residents, including those who may be difficult to contact. While City government has a responsibility to prepare for emergencies, residents and families also have an important role to play. There are practical steps every household can take now to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors. Stay informed. Sign up for AlertSF, San Francisco’s official emergency notification system, by texting your ZIP code to 415-888-777 or visiting AlertSF.org . Pay attention to National Weather Service warnings, and keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio in case electricity or internet service is interrupted. During severe weather, residents can also find City updates at sf.gov/storms . Build an emergency supply kit. The American Red Cross recommends keeping enough supplies for at least three days if you must evacuate and, ideally, two weeks if you need to remain at home. Plan for at least one gallon of water per person per day, along with nonperishable food, a manual can opener, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, essential medications, hygiene supplies, blankets and a portable phone charger. Include copies of important documents, emergency cash and any supplies needed by children, pets, or family members with medical needs. Keep a smaller, easy-to-carry “go bag” with sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and essential supplies somewhere accessible in case you must leave quickly. Make a family communication plan. Emergencies can separate family members or overwhelm phone networks. Designate an out-of-area relative or friend whom everyone can contact to report their location and safety. Establish a meeting place, identify who will pick up children if schools close and create a phone tree among family members and trusted neighbors. Keep phone numbers written down, not just saved on your phone, and practice your plan so everyone knows what to do. During network congestion, text messages may get through when voice calls cannot. Prepare your home before heavy rain arrives. Clear leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts and drains on your property. Secure outdoor furniture, trash bins and other loose objects before high winds. If your home or garage is prone to flooding, move valuables, electrical equipment and important documents above potential flood levels. The City offers free sandbags to eligible residents; information is available through sf.gov/storms . Report clogged public catch basins, downed branches or localized flooding to 311, rather than attempting to clear dangerous obstructions yourself. Know what to do when conditions become dangerous. Never drive, walk or bicycle through floodwater, and never drive around barricades at flooded intersections. Even shallow water can conceal dangerous currents, open manholes or electrical hazards. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to 911. During power outages, use flashlights rather than candles, and never operate generators, charcoal grills or outdoor cooking equipment inside a home or garage because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow evacuation instructions promptly, and know more than one way to leave your neighborhood if roads become impassable. Look out for one another. Check on elderly neighbors, residents with disabilities and anyone who may need assistance during an emergency. If someone depends on electrically powered medical equipment, help them identify backup power or an alternative location before an outage occurs. A simple conversation today can establish who needs help, who can provide it and how to stay connected if normal communications fail. Not every household can complete these preparations at once, but a few steps taken now can make a meaningful difference. Residents can find additional preparedness guidance at SF72.org and RedCross.org . Preparing for an emergency is a shared responsibility. Residents can take steps to protect their households and look out for their neighbors, while City government must ensure that our infrastructure, warning systems, and emergency response plans are ready when needed. The prospect of a strong El Niño is a timely reminder that preparedness is measured not by what we intend to do, but by what we have done before an emergency arrives. When the next storm comes, our residents should see the results of our preparation – not the consequences of our neglect. Supervisor Alan Wong represents District 4 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Reach his office at [email protected] or 415-554-7460. Share this: Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Like this: Like Loading… Related Categories: City Hall Tagged as: alan wong , City Hall , Richmond District , Richmond Review , Sunset Beacon , Sunset District