El Niño: SF declares local emergency to prepare for potential severe storms, coastal flooding

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie declared a local emergency on Friday as the city prepares for potential severe storms and coastal flooding associated with El Niño this winter.

The declaration temporarily waives certain city contracting requirements, allowing departments to secure supplies more quickly.

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In a statement released Friday, Mayor Lurie said he was declaring the emergency to ensure that San Francisco is ready for the impacts El Niño could bring this winter.

"We are acting now to make sure our departments have the resources they need to protect San Franciscans quickly throughout the season," said Lurie. "We will continue preparing across city departments, and I'm asking every San Franciscan to do their part so we can keep our communities safe—because the time to prepare for a major storm is before it arrives."

The declaration streamlines procurement and contract-awarding processes for several departments, including San Francisco Public Works, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Port of San Francisco, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the Recreation and Park Department, San Francisco International Airport and the Office of Contract Administration.