Storm Ready, Solana Beach

COMMUNITY
PUBLIC SAFETY
Storm Ready, Solana Beach

Winter storms can bring heavy rain, flooding, high surf, coastal flooding, erosion, strong winds, downed trees, and power outages. Residents can take simple steps before a storm to reduce risks and protect property.

Get Alerts

Check Flood Risk

Get Sandbags

Before the Storm

Make a Checklist

Sign up for alerts
Check your flood risk
Clean gutters and drain
Check roof and windows for leaks
Review insurance
Check your vehicle

Secure outdoor furniture and trash cans
Inspect trees
Get sandbags if needed
Pack a go-bag
Know you evacuation route

Prepare Your Home

Check for leaks: Before the rain arrives, inspect your home for potential water entry points.

Check your roof for loose or damaged shingles/tiles.
Inspect windows and doors for damaged seals.
Look for cracks or openings where water could enter.
Check ceilings and walls for existing signs of water intrusion.
Repair leaks before the next major storm.
After a storm, safely inspect your home again for new damage.

For coastal properties, also inspect seawalls, bulkheads and other structures for signs of distress or erosion.

Gutters & Drainage: Blocked drainage can turn heavy rain into localized flooding. Before a storm:

Clean leaves, dirt and debris from gutters and downspouts.
Make sure downspouts direct water away from structures.
Clear privately maintained drains, ditches and culverts.
Remove debris from retaining-wall and surface drains.
Make sure drainage paths are not blocked.
Never move debris into a street or storm drain.
Check drainage areas again after major storms.
Check flood zones
Get sandbags

Trees: Strong winds and saturated soil can increase the risk of falling trees and branches. Before a storm:

Look for dead, damaged or unstable branches.
Trim branches that could hit buildings, vehicles or power lines.
Check trees for signs of leaning or root disturbance.
Secure outdoor furniture, umbrellas, planters and decorations.
Bring loose items indoors when strong winds are forecast.
Secure trash cans and other objects that could become wind-driven debris.

Beach & Surf Safety

Large waves and strong currents can make coastal areas dangerous during storms. Before heading to the beach:

Call Solana Beach’s surf and weather report at (858) 720-4441 and if you have further questions about beach safety, especially when the surf is big, call your Solana Beach Lifeguards at (858) 720-4444.
Check the latest weather, surf and beach hazard forecast.
Pay attention to posted signs, warning flags and lifeguard instructions.
Avoid swimming or surfing during hazardous conditions.
Stay away from jetties, rocks, seawalls and areas exposed to large waves.
Keep children and pets away from the water's edge during high surf.
Avoid flooded coastal roads, parking areas and low-lying beach access points.
Never turn your back on the ocean.

The National Weather Service advises staying out of the water when rip-current risk is high and following local beach patrol and flag warnings.

To check beach and surf conditions, call Solana Beach's surf and weather report at (858) 720-4441 the Solana Beach Lifeguards at (858) 720-4444.

Power Outages & Electrical Safety

Power Outages

Storms and high winds can damage power lines and other electrical equipment and may cause planned or unplanned power outages. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) provides outage information, estimated restoration times and safety resources to help residents stay informed.

Check for Power Outage Report an Outage

If you have an electrical or gas emergency, see a downed power line, OR if you suspect a gas leak, evacuate the building or area immediately. Never touch a downed power line. From a safe location, call 9-1-1 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343.

Prepare for an Outage:

Before a storm, take a few minutes to prepare:

Keep flashlights and extra batteries readily available.
Charge phones, power banks and other essential devices.
Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio available.
Keep emergency food and drinking water on hand.
Know how to manually open your garage door or security gates if they require electricity.
If you use electrically powered medical equipment, have an emergency plan and backup power available.
Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible during an outage.
Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles.
If you have a generator, learn how to operate it safely before an emergency.

SDG&E recommends having an emergency plan and supply kit, keeping contact information current, and signing up for outage notifications.

Prepare Your Vehicle

Before a major storm:

Check tires and tire pressure.
Check windshield wipers.
Make sure headlights and brake lights work.
Fill your gas tank or fully charge your vehicle.
Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.
Know alternate routes in case roads flood or close.
Avoid driving through flooded roadways.

Never drive, walk or swim through floodwater. Floodwater can hide damaged roads, debris, open manholes and other hazards.

Pack a Go-Bag

Keep a small emergency bag somewhere easy to grab containing:

Drinking water
Nonperishable food
Flashlight and extra batteries
Phone charger/power bank
First-aid supplies
Essential medications
Copies of identification and insurance information
Cash
Keys
Change of clothes
Important contact information
Pet supplies, if needed

Keep important documents, medications and valuables in waterproof containers.

Check out this page for a guide to packing for emergencies.

Build an Emergency Kit

Get Alerts

Don't wait for an emergency to find out what's happening. Residents should sign up for the County's emergency notification system Alert San Diego and make sure contact information is current. Alerts can provide information about:

Flooding and evacuation warnings
Road closures
Severe weather
Other emergencies affecting your neighborhood

Also consider signing up with Genasys Protect, signing-up for the Weekly City Newsletter, downloading the My Solana Beach app, and following official City and County channels.

Check Flood Risk

Flooding can happen even if you don't live next to a creek, river or the ocean. Coastal storms can push tidal water inland, while heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and cause flooding in low-lying areas. Find out whether your property is in or near a mapped flood hazard area:

Check My Flood Zone

When reviewing your risk, consider more than the FEMA map:

Is your property in a low-lying area?
Are there slopes or retaining walls nearby?
Could stormwater flow toward your property?
Is it near a creek, lagoon, drainage channel, or coastal area?
Has the property flooded before?

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps are an important source for identifying mapped flood hazards, but smaller floods and flooding outside mapped areas can also occur.

Get Sandbags Ready

If your property is vulnerable to stormwater, don't wait until the rain starts.

Pick-up sandbags before the storms come
Sandbags can help redirect or slow water, but they are not a guarantee against flooding.
Please do not take sand from beaches.
Know where sandbags should be placed before water begins flowing.
Keep appropriate materials available if your property regularly experiences flooding.

To assist residents in protecting their properties from potential flooding, the City has made pre-filled sandbags available in the City Hall parking lot (635 S. Highway 101). Given limited supply, residents are asked to take no more than five sandbags per household.

During the Storm

Stay Informed: Monitor official City communications, emergency alerts, weather forecasts, and road conditions.
Stay Away from Floodwater: Turn around, don't drown. Never walk, swim or drive through flooded areas.
Stay Away from Downed Power Lines: Treat every downed line as energized. Keep people and pets away and call 9-1-1 to report if causing an immediate hazard, and report to SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343.
Follow Evacuation Instructions: If officials tell you to evacuate, leave promptly and follow designated routes.