1. Valley Water and San José reviewed El Niño preparedness. Staff described creek maintenance, public outreach and coordinated storm response for the 2026–2027 rainy season. Valley Water reported approximately 166 stream maintenance projects this year and said maintaining its flood protection improvements along about 185 miles of creek is a priority. The agencies’ Joint Emergency Action Plan, developed after the 2017 floods, has been updated and tested during storm events. Valley Water also held dam-emergency exercises involving San José. Staff cautioned that a stronger-than-normal El Niño is under way but does not necessarily mean flooding.
2. San José approved a flood-risk hotspot analysis. The City Council directed staff to work with Valley Water on a prioritized assessment of hotspots along the roughly 140-plus miles of waterways within San José. The mayor asked for clarity on higher-risk locations, planned responses and how residents can report concerns, with a presentation to the council ideally before the rainy season. He also requested longer-term flood-risk reduction options and clearer agency roles. Valley Water’s chair directed staff to coordinate with the city; there was no separate Board vote.
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