Rain has already been falling on and off across Santa Clara County, but experts warn that the upcoming winter could bring storms as intense as some of the region’s most destructive seasons.

Local agencies are preparing early, including by deploying drones to monitor conditions as storms develop. “We have different drones for different scenarios—rain, high winds, even nighttime operations with attached lights,” explained Senior Surveyor Zach Ansley, noting that the county maintains a fleet of 11 drones.

During a recent briefing, leaders from the Santa Clara Valley Water District said they are working proactively. “Our crews are clearing debris, removing vegetation, and addressing encampments to ensure water can flow freely before heavy rain arrives,” said Richard Santos, the district’s board vice chair. Officials caution that storms could match the severity of those in 2016–17 and 2022–23, which led to evacuations and water rescues.

Brian Garcia of the National Weather Service noted that those storm-heavy years began with a La Niña pattern that shifted to neutral conditions—similar to what appears to be unfolding now. “The past doesn’t dictate the future, but it teaches us valuable lessons,” he said.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan emphasized that those lessons have informed new preparedness measures. “Valley Water and our city teams created a joint emergency action plan—clear guidelines for communication, coordination, and decision-making when water levels rise,” he said.

The county’s Office of Emergency Management is also urging residents to sign up for AlertSCC, which provides emergency notifications via text, email, phone calls, and other accessible formats. “It’s a critical tool for delivering life-saving information,” said Tim Chin of the county.

Officials stress that strong collaboration between agencies and the public will be essential to minimizing risk as winter storms approach.