Flash flooding in Texas, New Mexico is a wake-up call for the Bay Area, KTVU meteorologist says
Search and rescue efforts continue in Texas | Take 2 Nightly
Search and rescue efforts continue in Texas for people who are still missing from the devastating floods
OAKLAND, Calif. - This week, devastating flash flooding tore through parts of southern New Mexico, where burn-scarred hillsides, left barren after recent wildfires, couldn’t absorb heavy monsoon rains. Homes were swept away, cars submerged, and residents had just moments to escape.
At the same time, Texas is reeling from historic and deadly flooding. After enduring weeks of relentless storms, entire towns in central and eastern Texas have been underwater. Rivers overflowed, streets turned into rivers, and thousands were forced to evacuate.
And yet, here in the Bay Area, some ask: Why should we care?
RELATED: Can a Texas size flood hit California? It already has, several times
Could flooding like Texas and New Mexico happen in the Bay Area?
We are not immune. We live in a region that is vulnerable to earthquakes, wildfires, atmospheric rivers and yes, flash floods, KTVU meteorologist Roberta Gonzales says. And what’s happening in New Mexico and Texas is part of a much bigger pattern: climate-driven extremes happening faster, harder, and more unpredictably.
These emergencies all share one thing in common, Gonzalez says.
Preparedness saves lives.
The same safety tips that protect people during flash floods also apply during fires, earthquakes, and storms.
RELATED: Three members of Marin County family missing after Texas flooding
Could Bay Area rivers see flash flooding like Texas?
The question arises: can a Texas-like disaster occur here in California? The Bay Area's rain and snow season, October to April, does bring flooding, but rarely on the level that occurred in Texas.
What Bay Area residents can do
Understand Your Local Risks
- Live near a creek, hillside or burn scar? You’re at greater risk for flooding or debris flows.
- Fire season is nearly year-round.
- Earthquake faults run through nearly every Bay Area city.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Use AlertCalifornia.org and Nixle
Make sure "Emergency Alerts" are turned on in your phone settings.
Have a Go-Bag Ready
- IDs, medications, flashlight, water, food, first aid, pet supplies.
- Keep one in your car and one near the door.
Have a Family Emergency Plan
- Two ways out of your home or neighborhood
- Establish a meeting place
- Have an out-of-area emergency contact
Respect Water
If you see water on the road, turn around, don’t drown.
Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you over. A foot of water can carry away a car.
Final Thought
New Mexico and Texas did not get much warning. And we might not either. That’s why preparation isn’t about fear—it’s about being ready to protect your family, your home, and your community when disaster strikes.
Let’s learn from what we’re seeing across the country and be ready here at home.