Downtown San Anselmo businesses are getting ready for possible severe flooding along San Anselmo Creek as the winter storm season and El Niño concerns approach, CBS News Bay Area reported.
Why it matters: The Marin town has a long history of damaging floods, including in 1982, 2005 and 2015, and many of its newer flood barriers have never been tested in a major storm.
What the town is doing
Town crews have been clearing storm drains and removing debris. Town Manager Dave Donery said officials have been inspecting downtown businesses to make sure required flood gates are installed.
"I don't think we've had a strong test of them because a lot of them got put in since our last flood," Donery told CBS. "But all the engineering says they should hold."
Business owners on edge
Pat Townsley, owner of Creekside Pizza, said the narrow channel under his restaurant creates a bottleneck. He recalled floodwater entering the restaurant in 2015. He also warned that high tides can slow water moving downstream. "We are prepared," he said.
Ludwig's Liquor and Smoke Shop recently installed new removable flood gates, CBS reported.
Sandbags and alerts
From November through March, the town runs a free sandbag filling station for residents and businesses on Sunny Hills Drive, in the parking lot next to the tennis courts across from Swirl at Red Hill Shopping Center, according to the Town of San Anselmo. It opens at the beginning of November.
Officials urge residents to sign up for emergency alerts, watch storm forecasts and make evacuation plans now. The town has an El Niño resources page.