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Home My WebLink AboutSeal_Beach_City_Preparedness_and_Winter_Berm_Council_Revised_v2City Preparedness and Winter Readiness Operational readiness, public information, and the annual sand berm Following the climate briefing by Dr. Daniel Swain Sgt. Brian Gray and Senior Engineer David Spitz September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting LOCAL READINESS What Seal Beach plans for Rain and drainage Intense rain can produce street flooding, water in low areas, travel disruptions, and greater demand on drainage and pumping operations. Coast and shoreline High tides, elevated surf, wave runup, and erosion can combine to affect beaches, parking lots, roads, and the lowest coastal areas. Power and communications Wind, saturated soil, and infrastructure damage can interrupt power or communications when the City needs them most. Different neighborhoods can face different problems during the same storm Old Town may face coastal and tidal flooding while College Park East faces rainfall and drainage impacts. Staff monitor the full combination of rain, tides, surf, drainage capacity, and field observations. Dr. Swain's briefing sets the seasonal context. NWS forecasts and local observations drive each operational decision. Source: City of Seal Beach preparedness materials and NOAA coastal-flooding guidance OPERATIONAL EXAMPLE Recent high-surf event What occurred •Elevated surf and high tides created temporary flooding in low coastal public areas. •The most significant local effects centered on the boardwalk, Seal Way, beach lots, and access points. •Staff documented impacts, protective actions, and response costs after the event. City response •Police, Marine Safety, Public Works, City Management, and OCFA coordinated throughout the event. •The City accelerated berm work, staged pumps and barricades, adjusted access, and issued public updates. •Crews changed tactics as forecasts and field conditions evolved. What we are refining •Access openings must balance flood protection, ADA access, Marine Safety response, and employee safety. •Pumps work best after active ocean inflow subsides enough for safe and effective dewatering. •Resident reports should go through SBPD Dispatch so the City can log and route them consistently. Staff are incorporating field observations and resident feedback into winter procedures. Source: City operational records and NWS San Diego coastal-hazard information, September 2026 OPERATIONS City preparations before winter Operations already in place •Daily monitoring of NWS forecasts, tides, surf, and local field conditions during elevated-risk periods. •Cross-department coordination among Police, Public Works, Marine Safety, City Management, and OCFA. •Pump training, equipment staging, barricade plans, sandbag supplies, and accelerated berm construction when conditions warrant. •Public alerts and social-media updates tied to forecast changes and observed impacts. Work continuing •Finalize backup staffing and on-call support for prolonged rain or coastal events. •Refine sandbag, sandless-barrier, and community-support logistics. •Maintain a shared calendar for king tides and forecast concerns. •Prepare public messages and internal decision guides before an incident. •Document costs, protective measures, and lessons after significant events. The City adjusts staffing and equipment as each forecast becomes clearer. Source: City of Seal Beach preparedness meeting notes and operational records COMMUNITY READINESS Public information and social media Current outreach •Updated website: the Emergency Preparedness section now brings El Niño guidance, alerts, plans, and resident resources together. •City graphics: new materials explain possible local effects, household preparation, storm safety, and where to find reliable information. •Social media: City and Police channels share forecast updates, closures, sandbag information, and safety reminders. •National Preparedness Month: weekly posts reinforce alerts, emergency kits, family planning, and neighborhood readiness. sealbeachpd.com/emergency-preparedness One consistent message across the website, social media, AlertOC, and Nixle Source: City of Seal Beach Emergency Preparedness webpage and public information graphic PUBLIC PREPAREDNESS Resident resources and emergency alerts Four actions for residents •AlertOC: register household phone numbers and email addresses for County emergency notifications. •Nixle: text 90740 to 888777 for Seal Beach Police and public-safety messages. •Sandbags: free City supplies are available at Arbor Park, Fire Stations 44 and 48, and Marina Park. •Report concerns: call SBPD Dispatch at 562-594-7232 for non-emergency incidents so they can be logged and routed. Prepare and place flood protection before rain begins Source: City of Seal Beach alert and sandbag guidance COMMUNITY READINESS Neighbor 4 Neighbor preparedness discount 25% off emergency preparedness supplies Available to Seal Beach Neighbor 4 Neighbor participants through Ready America •Use the dedicated Neighbor 4 Neighbor Ready America shopping page or scan the flyer QR code. •Select preparedness supplies and add them to the cart. •The 25% discount applies automatically at checkout. No separate code is required. •This household resource complements City alerts, sandbags, and neighborhood planning. readyamerica.com/neighbor-4-neighbor Source: Seal Beach Neighbor 4 Neighbor and Ready America program flyer TRAINING AND PARTNERSHIPS Flood Mitigation Workshop Tuesday, October 6, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Seal Beach Police Department 911 Seal Beach Boulevard Public Works personnel and West Orange County CERT volunteers will train with Team Rubicon using California Department of Water Resources methods. •Classroom instruction followed by hands -on flood mitigation practice. •Proper sandbag filling and placement, temporary levees, plastic sheeting, and structure protection. •Sandbags filled during the training will be offered to residents afterward. Source: City of Seal Beach and Team Rubicon Flood Mitigation Workshop flyer Starlink pilot program: Year 2 YEAR 1 3 Starlink Mini units Mobile beta testing with City vehicles YEAR 2 5 additional systems for City buildings City Hall, Police Department, Lifeguard Headquarters, Fire Stations 44 and 48 Purpose •Provide an alternate internet path if conventional wired or cellular service is disrupted. •Support Wi-Fi calling, emergency software, situational awareness, and continuity of operations. •Complete site surveys and staff training while continuing to evaluate the three mobile units. This pilot supplements existing radio, cellular, and wired systems. It provides another communications option when normal infrastructure is disrupted. Next: Annual Winter Sand Berm Source: City of Seal Beach Starlink pilot memorandum and September 2026 Year 2 update SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Winter Sand Berm Construction and Removal -Annual Sand Berm Construction history -Began in 1940’s after the Federal Government built jetties for Naval Weapons Station -Jetties divert winter wave swells from south to north, eroding south of the pier. -Storms, swells and winter king tides cause beach overtopping and flooding. -2-Year cycle for Berm Construction -Year 1 –Construct and Removal -Year 2 –Construct with Back-pass and Removal -Back-passing is essential due to sand transport and loss from Southeast to Northwest. Sand brought back south bi-annually -Request for Award of Annual Sand Berm Construction and Removal Project on tonight’s agenda. -Low Bidder –Elka Construction, Inc. SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Annual Winter Sand Berm Plan SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Annual Winter Sand Berm –Plan View SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Annual Winter Sand Berm –Profile View SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Annual Winter Sand Berm -Pictures SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Annual Winter Sand Berm -Pictures SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Annual Winter Sand Berm -Pictures SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Annual Winter Sand Berm -Pictures SERVICES WE OFFER Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Lorem ipsum dolor Pump Location: 10TH St Parking Lot