Every Bay Area fall has that moment when the fog stops feeling charming and the first real storm rolls through. This year, it may arrive with a little more force.
Forecasters are tracking a very strong El Niño with a real chance of being the strongest on record, and California has already declared a state of emergency to get ahead of what could be a long, wet winter.
At Outpost, we spend our days in homes from Marin to San Francisco, and season after season we've seen firsthand what a stretch of rainy weeks can do to a property. We've also learned which steps make the biggest difference in keeping a home protected and our clients comfortable when the weather outside is anything but. Here's how we approach it.
Getting Your Home Storm-Ready
Most of the work of getting ready happens outside, and the best time to tackle it is before the first big storm, while roofers and contractors still have room on their calendars. Here's where we'd start.
Start with the roof
Most leaks begin small and show up at the worst possible moment. A quick inspection now is far easier than an emergency repair later. A few things worth a look:
Missing, cracked, or curling shingles or tiles
Flashing for windows, chimneys, skylights, and vents
Water stains on ceilings or in the attic, which often mean a leak has already started
Overhanging branches that could scrape the roof or drop debris in high winds that clog gutters.
Roofers are already in high demand, and the SF Standard reports door-to-door scammers pushing pricey contracts without a proper inspection. Stick with licensed pros you know or who come well recommended.
At Outpost, we trust and continuously work with the following roofers:
Make sure water has somewhere to go
Most storm damage starts with water collecting where it shouldn't. Good drainage keeps that water moving away from your home, and a few simple checks before the season make a real difference.
Clear leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts, then run a hose through them to spot leaks or sagging sections
Make sure downspouts empty several feet from the foundation, and add extensions if they don't. Be sure to order and install the right downspouts and extensions online ahead of the storm
Look for soil, patios, or walkways that slope toward the house, and note anywhere water pooled last winter
Clear area drains in driveways, patios, and yards, and test your sump pump if you have one
If you've dealt with standing water or a damp crawl space before, it's worth having a drainage professional take a look. Fixes like regrading or adding a French drain are much easier to schedule now than mid-season.
We're happy to refer you to the people we rely on:
Protect your landscaping
After all the time (and water) that goes into a Bay Area garden, a little prep goes a long way toward keeping it from washing away. Bare soil is the biggest risk, especially on a slope.
Top up mulch on exposed beds to soften heavy rain and hold soil in place, and edge beds so lighter mulch doesn't float off
On steeper spots, consider biodegradable erosion-control blankets or straw wattles
Stake young trees and anything tall or top-heavy
Have an arborist check large trees near the house, since saturated soil and strong wind are a tough combination
Stay off soaked lawns and beds when you can, since walking on wet soil compacts it and makes drainage worse
If your garden needs support ahead of the storm, here are our recommendations:
Your storm-season checklist: what to do and what to stock
A few final checks around the house:
Check doors and windows for gaps, and refresh weatherstripping or caulking where it's worn. Sealing drafts also keeps rooms warmer and more comfortable on long gray days
Call your insurance agent to confirm what's covered. Standard homeowners policies typically don't cover flooding, and flood policies through the federal NFIP usually take 30 days to kick in
Consider making copies of IDs, insurance policies, and home records in case of emergency and store them in a waterproof pouch
Keep a few sandbags on hand if your property has flooded before. San Francisco Public Works has stocked thousands for residents
Make sure everyone in the house knows where the main water shutoff is
And a few supplies worth having on hand before the first outage. Keeping everything together in one easy-to-grab bin makes it simple to find in the dark:
Water: at least one gallon per person per day, for three days or more
Lanterns and flashlights: a good rechargeable lantern, like this Energizer WeatheReady 360 lantern, lights a whole room, plus a headlamp or two for hands-free tasks
Batteries: stocked in every size your devices use, and kept organized with a battery organizer and tester so you know which ones still work
Candles: flameless LED candles give the same glow without the fire risk during an outage
Portable power bank: fully charged, to keep phones running if the power goes out
Portable generator: a quiet, lightweight inverter model like this one can keep the fridge, lights, and phones going through an outage. Test it before the season, keep fresh fuel on hand, and always run it outdoors, well away from windows and doors
First-aid kit and medications: with a few days' supply of any prescriptions
Nonperishable food: easy, no-cook options, plus a manual can opener
Tarps, duct tape, and towels: for quick fixes and soaking up the occasional leak
Storm Prep Resources
For the practical side of getting ready, these state and local sources are worth bookmarking:
Listos California emergency alerts: sign up for official emergency alerts in your county.
Governor's El Niño preparedness announcement: the state's checklist for knowing your flood risk, staying informed, and making an evacuation plan.
SF72: San Francisco's hub for emergency preparedness.
Ready Marin El Niño preparedness: ABC7's overview of Marin County's new site covering flood and landslide risks and alerts.
How can you and your home be ready?: KQED's Bay Area guide, including a link to San Francisco's storm and flood hazard map.
California is bracing for a historic El Niño. Here's how to prepare: the San Francisco Chronicle on alerts, sandbags, and emergency kits.
How SF is prepping for Super El Niño: the SF Standard on city sandbag supplies and what local contractors are seeing.
We are here when you need support
Over the years, we've built relationships with roofers, landscapers, contractors, and other professionals we trust to do careful, quality work and to show up when they say they will. When a home needs attention, we connect our clients with the right people and plan the work around their timeline, so nothing feels rushed. Our Concierge program allows sellers to take care of updates before listing without having to coordinate it all themselves.
Whether you're planning to buy or sell this season, or you'd simply like a fresh set of eyes on your space, we'd love to help. Book a call with our team or reach us at (415) 879-8311.
