Heavy rain, wind, flooding and power outages can make winter messy fast. Here’s what Bay Area homeowners and renters can do now — before the first big El Niño storm hits.
We know how this goes.
It’s been dry for months. Then the first big storm rolls in and suddenly everyone’s looking for flashlights, clearing a clogged drain in the pouring rain or discovering that the tiny leak from last winter is, in fact, still there.
And this year, there’s good reason to get ahead of it. NOAA says El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90% chance of becoming very strong this fall and winter. That doesn’t guarantee a soaking-wet Bay Area winter, but it does make this a particularly good year not to wait until the forecast shows five straight days of rain to get ready.
The good news? Most winter prep isn’t complicated. Clear the things that need clearing, check the things that need checking and make sure you have the supplies you’ll wish you had when the power goes out at 9 p.m.
Start With the Stuff You Don’t Want to Do in the Rain
Clean out the gutters. Clear leaves and debris from outdoor drains. Check the weatherstripping around doors and windows. And think back to last winter: Where did water pool? What leaked? What blew over? What did you wish you’d fixed before the storm?
If your garage, basement, yard or driveway tends to take on water, get your flood supplies together now. Depending on your home, that might mean sandbags, plastic sheeting, a tarp or a sump pump. We carry plumbing supplies to help you prepare for winter weather. Shop online or find your nearest Hassett Hardware.
How do you for a Power Outage?
Start with the obvious things that are surprisingly easy to forget: working flashlights, LED lanterns, fresh batteries and charged portable power banks.
Add drinking water, nonperishable food and anything your household would have a hard time going without if the power stayed off longer than expected.
Remember to test the flashlight.
Using a Generator? Don’t Try to Power Your House With a Male-to-Male Cord
If you have a generator, now is the time to make sure it’s ready to use, and that you know how to use it safely. Fuel-powered generators should always be operated outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home, doors and windows.
And never use a male-to-male extension cord to connect a generator to a wall outlet. Sometimes called a “suicide cord,” this can energize your home’s wiring in an unsafe way, creating a serious electrocution and fire risk and potentially sending electricity back onto utility lines.
If you want a generator to supply power to your home’s electrical system, the safe setup requires appropriate equipment, such as a properly installed transfer switch or other code-compliant connection installed by a qualified electrician.
If your generator needs maintenance or repair before winter, Powered by Hassett offers small-engine service and repair in Palo Alto. You can also shop online or find your nearest Hassett Hardware for extension cords and other power-outage supplies.
How Do You Prepare Your Yard for a Winter Storm?
Before a storm, look for the things that are going to become annoying or downright dangerous once the wind starts.
Secure patio furniture, umbrellas, garbage cans and anything else that could blow over or blow away. Check fences and gates for loose boards or hardware. If you have branches or trees that look questionable, have them evaluated before the ground is saturated and the wind is blowing.
It’s also worth having a tarp, rope, work gloves and a few basic repair supplies somewhere you can actually find them.
Renters Need a Storm Plan, Too
You may not be responsible for the gutters or the roof, but you can still prepare for winter weather.
If water has come in before, move electronics and anything important off the floor. Report leaks, clogged drains and failing weatherstripping to your landlord before the rain starts. Keep flashlights, batteries, portable chargers and a few basic emergency supplies on hand.
Know where the problem spots are. If the patio flooded last year, assume it remembers how.
Put Together a Basic Emergency Kit
You don’t need to prepare for the apocalypse. You do want enough supplies to get through a power outage or a day when flooded roads make staying home the better option.
Keep drinking water, nonperishable food, necessary medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries and warm clothing together somewhere accessible.
It’s also a good time to sign up for your county’s emergency alerts and know your evacuation route if you live in an area at risk for flooding.
Get Ready
A little work on a dry weekend can save you from doing the same job later in the dark, in the rain and while wondering why you didn’t take care of it when it was sunny.
Stop by your neighborhood Hassett Hardware before the storms start. We can help you find the supplies you need to get your home ready for winter and hopefully keep you from having to solve quite as many problems in the rain.
Bay Area El Niño & Winter Preparation FAQs
How should I prepare my Bay Area home for El Niño?
Start with the things most likely to cause problems during winter storms: clean gutters and outdoor drains, check for leaks, replace damaged weatherstripping, secure loose outdoor items and make sure you have supplies for a power outage. If your property has flooded before, prepare for that possibility before heavy rain is forecast.
Does El Niño mean the Bay Area will definitely have a wet winter?
No. El Niño influences weather patterns, but even a very strong El Niño doesn’t guarantee unusually heavy rainfall in a particular location. NOAA currently expects a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño during fall and winter 2026–27.
What should I have on hand for a power outage?
Keep working flashlights or lanterns, fresh batteries, charged portable power banks, drinking water, nonperishable food, medications and basic emergency supplies somewhere easy to reach.
What should renters do to prepare for El Niño and winter storms?
Report leaks, drainage problems and damaged weatherstripping to your landlord before storms arrive. Keep flashlights, batteries, chargers and basic emergency supplies on hand, and move electronics and valuables away from areas where water has entered in the past.