Tracy gets ready for El Niño

Published on October 26, 2026

TRACY, Calif. – Tracy residents now have one easy place to learn their risk, sign up for alerts and take the practical steps that matter most before storms arrive. The new “Get Tracy Ready for El Niño” page, comes as the Governor’s state of emergency is in place and forecasters expect El Niño to strengthen.

On September 21, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to speed statewide El Niño preparations. On October 19, FEMA Region 9 urged households to prepare ahead of winter storms. State officials describe the emerging El Niño as potentially historic.

Know your zone

San Joaquin County’s Office of Emergency Services has launched its Know Your Zone campaign. The County is phasing in evacuation zone codes, rather than street names, in emergency alerts and notifications. Tracy residents should look up their zone now at sjready.org/knowyourzone.

How Tracy residents can prepare

• Sign up for alerts and find your evacuation zone, so you can recognize your zone code when an alert is sent.
• Know your flood risk. Notice where water collects near your home, workplace and regular routes, and identify two ways out of your neighborhood.
• Clear your drain. Remove leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts and the storm drain near your home. Neighbors can join the City’s Maintain-A-Drain program by calling Public Works at (209) 831-6300.
• Pack a go-bag and a power-outage kit, and plan for pets and anyone who needs help evacuating.
• Never drive or walk through floodwater. It can be deeper and faster than it looks, and the road underneath may be washed out. Turn around and find another route.

What is El Niño?

El Niño is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean that changes weather patterns around the world. It does not guarantee a wet winter or any particular storm, but it raises the risk of strong storms in California. That is why residents are encouraged to prepare before a forecast is issued.

During emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies such as clogged drains or fallen branches, submit a service request at CityofTracy.org or use the Go Tracy! app.