Bay Area nonprofit urges residents to prepare for El Niño, potentially dangerous weather this winter
"I just want to let everybody know El Niño is here."
NOVATO, Calif. (KGO) -- With the rainy season approaching and forecasts calling for a strong El Niño weather pattern this winter, a North Bay nonprofit is encouraging residents to prepare now for possible flooding and severe storms.
Shannon Parkhurst of Novato already has her emergency go bag packed and ready.
"In our go bag, we have toiletries, we have a poncho in case things get flooded," Parkhurst said.
Parkhurst remembers past flooding in her neighborhood and says preparation is essential.
"This area where we're standing was underwater, so I know I need to prepare," she said. "I just want to let everybody know El Niño is here."
Parkhurst is the co-founder of the Lemon Aide Project, a Marin-Sonoma nonprofit focused on emergency preparedness and disaster relief.
MORE: Bay Area communities step up flood preps as CA could face 'historic' El Niño winter
The organization is ramping up outreach efforts through social media and community education campaigns, urging residents to prepare for potentially dangerous winter weather.
"You need to have two evac routes ready," Parkhurst advised.
The nonprofit points to past El Niño winters, including 1982, when powerful storms triggered widespread flooding and landslides throughout the Bay Area.
ABC7 Eyewitness News covered the extensive storm damage from Sebastopol to the Santa Cruz Mountains as communities struggled with washed-out roads and rising floodwaters.
"I mean there were people downtown in canoes," Parkhurst said.
MORE: Experts warn strong El Niño could bring record sea levels to California coast with flooding concerns
At the same time, Marin County Public Works is taking steps to reduce flood risks before major storms arrive.
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Crews are dredging approximately two miles of the Novato Creek channel to improve water flow and lessen the chances of flooding in nearby neighborhoods.
"We anticipate removing 20,000 cubic yards of material from the channel," said Chris Blunk, director of the Marin County Department of Public Works.
"Each cubic yard is the size of a washing machine, so it's a lot of material coming out, making space for stormwater to flow through."
County crews are also clearing hundreds of storm drains and reinforcing levees as part of a broader storm preparedness effort.
Officials are also watching forecasts for king tides expected during the holiday season, which could increase flooding concerns along low-lying areas.
Similar conditions last January contributed to flooding that temporarily covered portions of Highway 101.
"We're trying to get prepared now instead of waiting for the first storm," Blunk said.
Marin County Public Works says crews are clearing approximately 600 storm drains and plan to add additional sandbag stations throughout the county ahead of winter storms.
Emergency preparedness advocates say residents should use the time before the rainy season arrives to build emergency supply kits, review evacuation plans and stay informed about changing weather conditions.
