Prepare For Rain: SLO County and Team Rubicon Begin El Niño Storm Prep Workshops

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The City of San Luis Obispo is hosting two free storm-preparation events to help residents protect homes and businesses ahead of the upcoming El Niño storm season.

The first event, a hands-on community sandbag workshop, is scheduled for this evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the City Corporation Yard at 25 Prado Road.

The preparation push follows a statewide emergency declaration by the California governor in response to severe weather forecasts. 

Weather experts warn that a Super El Niño pattern could bring heavier rain and larger storms, placing increased pressure on local creeks and storm drainage systems.

Municipal crews are focusing on high-risk areas to repair and strengthen local infrastructure before heavy rain begins. 

City Emergency Manager Joe Little urges residents to take proactive measures alongside municipal efforts.

The training session today is led by Team Rubicon West Branch and requires no prior experience. 

Instructors will demonstrate filling techniques, effective sandbag placement and best practices for flood mitigation. 

Participants should wear durable work boots and tough pants and bring empty sandbags to fill during the training.

City officials are also publishing storm preparation information and providing updates through the Storm Central web portal at https://www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/fire-department/prepare-slo/storm-central.

The city's second storm preparation event, Community Sandbag Filling Day, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the City Corporation Yard.

The city is partnering with Central Coast Landscape Products, which will provide a specialized truck to assist residents with rapid sandbag filling. Automated filling is limited to 20 bags per resident, though attendees may fill additional bags manually using free sand provided on site.

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