What's happening: Mill Valley crews have cleared drainage channels and inspected every flapper gate and check valve in the city ahead of an expected El Niño winter, according to a city staff report. The city is also adding four new flapper gates near Sycamore Avenue. Staff briefed the City Council on Sep. 21.
Why it matters: The staff report cites NOAA in saying El Niño is strengthening, with better than a 90 percent chance of a very strong event this winter. It also cites better than even odds of above-normal rain across much of coastal California from December through April, but calls that a probability, not a guarantee.
The report names lower Miller Avenue near Camino Alto, the lower Sycamore neighborhood and the Alto Sutton T-ditch as recurring problem spots. Southern Marin Fire interim Chief Tom Welch told the council the city's drainages work well in steady rain and run into trouble when a lot of rain falls at once, or when heavy rain meets a tidal surge. City Manager Todd Cusimano said staff expect "some really alarming incidents" over Thanksgiving week and Christmas.
Crews clear sediment along the Lomita Avenue ditch ahead of this winter’s El Niño. The vegetation has since been cut as well. (MVB, Sept. 14, 2026)
The context: Public Works reports removing 15 cubic yards of sediment
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