Larkspur, Corte Madera and Tiburon adopted El Niño emergency declarations last week, the Marin IJ reports. San Rafael and Sausalito did so earlier this month, and the county has issued its own proclamation. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency on Sept. 21 ahead of a rainy season expected to be especially wet.
A local declaration doesn't raise spending limits, but it lets towns skip some competitive bidding and makes state or federal aid easier to get. "It allows, in certain conditions, us not to have to do competitive bidding on every single thing," Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis said. Tiburon set aside up to $75,000 for storm preparation in September.
Larkspur's price tag
Larkspur had spent about $282,000 on flood preparation as of last week and could spend about $800,000 more. Possible costs include:
- $80,000 for a flood barrier on Redwood Highway
- $140,000 for a barrier on Doherty Drive and Riviera Circle
- $120,000 to deliver sandbags to neighborhoods
- $70,000 to strengthen the Larkspur Plaza Drive barrier
- About $400,000 for pumps in the Larkspur Marina neighborhood
"I don't think we have time to wait around," Councilmember Catherine Way said. Mayor Stephanie Andre said she favors more pumps, "but not $400,000 worth of pumps." City Manager Dan Schwarz said he won't approve the Redwood Highway barrier unless the county, Corte Madera, SMART and Caltrans do their part.
The Southern Marin Ledger reports that Larkspur flooded badly during the Jan. 1–5 king tides. The city lists Larkspur Plaza Drive, the Larkspur Marina and Riviera Circle area, and the Redwood Highway and Industrial Drive area as its most vulnerable spots. Sandbags are available at Piper Park, 250 Doherty Drive, and at the pump station at Diane Lane and Midway Road. Bring a shovel.