On Oct. 13, the Grover Beach City Council reviewed the City’s El Niño preparedness plans, which may bring heavy rain and localized flooding to the Central Coast during the 2026-27 winter season.
“Protecting our community and the services our residents rely on is our top priority,” said Grover Beach Mayor Kassi Dee. “Our Public Works team is taking proactive steps to better prepare the streets and infrastructure our residents use every day.”
City crews prepare each year for winter weather by cleaning catch basins, clearing storm drains and testing backup generators, including the Police Department generator that also powers the Five Cities Fire Authority station next door. Crews are also trimming trees and brush along West Grand Avenue, near El Camino Real, at the Nacimiento sewer lift station and in Grover Heights Park.
Along Meadow Creek, the City plans to do vegetation management, such as clearing brush and removing debris to improve water flow and reduce flooding around City infrastructure (streets, the bridge, waterlines and a sewer lift station) while also helping reduce impacts to neighboring properties. Public Works staff is completing environmental reviews before starting that work in the coming weeks.
“Storm readiness is a team effort between the City and our residents,” said Grover Beach City Manager Matthew Bronson. “As a City, we are working diligently to reduce local flood risks and ensure our neighborhoods have the resources they need when winter weather arrives.”
Residents are encouraged to prepare their homes by clearing rain gutters, trimming tree branches and checking roofs and windows for leaks. Households should also put together an emergency kit with basic supplies, including drinking water, nonperishable food, flashlights, a battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
Neighborhoods near Meadow Creek, such as Nacimiento Avenue, Owens Court, Mono Court and El Camino Real, are historically prone to flooding given their location in a flood zone. Residents in low-lying areas should check their flood risk through the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, review insurance policies and plan an evacuation route. To help protect property throughout Grover Beach, the City provides free sand at Mentone Basin Park at 14th Street and Mentone Avenue. Residents and business owners must bring their own shovels and bags, with a limit of 20 sandbags per property.
Community members are also encouraged to provide feedback on local storm resources by completing the City’s El Niño Preparation Resources Survey by Sunday, Nov. 9. The survey and additional storm safety resources are available at the City’s dedicated El Nino Preparedness webpage.