Grown in Marin

El Niño FAQ for Farmers

Few people are as well-equipped to deal with extreme weather as farmers and ranchers.  Living and working on remote agricultural properties forces you to plan ahead and be prepared to respond to whatever nature throws at you.  But this winter promises to be a bit different, and we wanted to address some of the questions and concerns that have come to us regarding El Niño and its impacts on local agriculture.  On this page are answers to some of those questions along with local resources to help you weather the storms.
 


Regardless of where you are or how flood-prone your land, we recommend a few simple steps you can take now to improve your chances of getting through this winter in good shape. These suggestions below are taken from conversations with emergency preparedness experts as well as some of your fellow farmers and ranchers.  See those items below, followed by the answers to some specific questions raised by local producers.  At the end, we have gathered a list of additional resources you will want to keep close at hand.  

  • Stay connected and informed - 
  • Monitor weather conditions - Find your favorite forecasts including tide charts and get in the habit of checking daily. Unlike wildfire, winter storms usually give us time to prepare if we’re staying vigilant to conditions.
  • Prepare as much as possible in advance - Clearing culverts, repairing roads and drainages, checking fences on the high ground - there’s plenty to do.
  • Document everything - Take before-and-after photos of critical infrastructure around the ranch/farm - especially vulnerable areas that have a high potential to fail.  Document any storm impacts, including images, dates and (estimated) dollar values.  This could include damage to barns, washed out roads, lost fencing or livestock or lost product due to extended power outages.  This information can be used to file insurance claims, and it can also help local officials secure disaster declarations that unlock financial assistance. Remember that many crop insurance policies require notification within 72-hours of the loss or a similar small window of time.
  • Take care of each other.  Check in on neighbors and stay connected to friends and family nearby.  You may be the best prepared person among the people you know and can help someone else make it through a tough time.
    • The Pt. Reyes Disaster Council maintains a cadre of Neighborhood Liaisons who keep neighbors informed about what’s happening and who needs assistance.  They also have a robust network of ham radio operators who can keep information flowing even during systemwide power outages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions we have received about El Nino and the concerns that have come up related to this Winter’s weather:

  1. What are we actually expected to see, in terms of weather?  Isn't the impact of El Nino supposed to be mostly in Southern California?
    The National Weather Service has solid information and the most modeling, which they continue to refine.  At this time it still looks like strong El Nino impacts across the state with the greatest impact to Southern California.  Primary anticipated impacts of El Nino in our area include: High tides that run as much as 6-12" above normal with exceptional high tide events expected on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Storm events are expected to occur more frequently and with greater intensity.  The combination of high tides and powerful storm events means all inland waterways - rivers, streams, creeks and baylands could see repeated flooding and saturated soils may lead to higher than usual erosion, washouts, treefalls and power outtages. 
  2. Are there sites with prepositioned gravel, rip-rap, sandbags, etc.?
    There is an online list of the location of sandbags. 
  3. If manure ponds overflow due to heavy rain, will we be in trouble with the Water Boards?
    Region 2's CAF Program requires that all adverse conditions, including discharges that endanger human health or the environment, must be reported to the Regional Water Board within 24 hours of becoming aware of the occurrence, and corrective actions must be implemented as soon as possible to stop the discharge. Reporting of accidental discharges go to: Regional Water Board Spill Hotline: 510-622-2369 and California Office of Emergency Services (OES): 800-852-7550.
  4. What restrictions are there on pumping/scraping out manure ponds as a preventative measure in preparation for rain?
    Morgan Williams of the Ag Lands Program at the Region 2 Water Board sent out a letter with best practices for a wet winter.  This includes maintaining two feet of freeboard in above-ground manure ponds and one foot of freeboard in in-ground ponds.  Williams stated that Dairies can "Apply manure and wastewater only during extended dry conditions and ensure no runoff occurs during or after application. All applied liquids must infiltrate within 72 hours. Solid and liquid manure should never be applied to saturated soils."  Any adverse conditions, including pond overflowing, berm failure, or other discharges that endanger human health or the environment, must be reported to the Regional Water Board within 24 hours of you or any ranch staff becoming aware of the occurrence.  Incidents must be reported to the following numbers: Regional Water Board Spill Hotline: 510-622-2369 and California Office of Emergency Services (OES): 800-852-7550.  R2 also recommends using CA Dairy Quality Assurance Program's Template for planning your storm emergency preparation & response.
  5. What resources are out there to assist with animal evacuations in an emergency?
    Marin Humane coordinates with Marin Search & Rescue when needed.  For evacuation assistance, call 911.
  6. What assistance is out there to fix washouts and other large-scale erosion caused by heavy rains?
    Assistance depends on good documentation.  It's important to document the conditions of infrastructure, roads, pastures, etc. in advance of the winter storms and then document any losses or damaged infrastructure afterwards.  This will help public agencies secure disaster declarations that can release funding assistance.  It is also helpful for filing insurance claims.  This is also a good time to set up your farm & tract record with the FSA so that you are "in the file" and can claim benefits for any/all programs that may be released by the USDA.  Initiate this process directly with the FSA, and UCCE and your local RCD can help with the paperwork.  If you operate on a property with a MALT conservation easement and experience impacts from the storms this winter, please contact MALT staff for technical assistance and to see if there is an opportunity for funding through their Stewardship Assistance Program.
  7. Is making a claim to repair storm damage going to raise my insurance rates?  Will it risk losing my policy?
    It's important to talk with your insurance broker before the storms to see what is covered and what kind of claims can be made.  Most general policies don't include flood insurance, so ask if this is an option. If you want to get flood insurance, do it soon - most policies have a 30-day waiting period before they take effect.  The Governor and state legislature have recently passed new laws to help homeowners get fair treatment from their insurers after disasters and increase state scrutiny of rate increases.  It’s too early to know what effect these laws will have on damages this winter.
  8. Are there sources of (fast) funding to repair damage to farm infrastructure (barns, etc.) caused by storms?
    In general, assistance to repair damaged infrastructure or compensate for losses rarely moves quickly.  The USDA's disaster assistance programs generally follow a lengthy review process and hinge on an official disaster declaration.  The same is true for Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration.  In April, the state's CUSP program will start accepting applications for extreme weather relief.  See the online list of covered losses and information about CUSP and the organizations accepting applications.  If you operate on a property with a MALT conservation easement and experience impacts from the storms this winter please contact MALT staff for technical assistance and to see if there is an opportunity for funding through their Stewardship Assistance Program.
  9. Is commercial ag supposed to get priority restoration service from PGE because of animal welfare and food security?  If so, how do we get that priority service?
    PG&E encourages ag customers to keep their outage contact information current in PG&E MyAccount to recieve outage notifications and restoration updates. Ag customers can also contact the Ag Help Line at 877-311-3276 or their assigned PG&E account representative for assistance. It is important to clearly communicate any immediate risks to animal health, life or welfare when reporting an outage so PG&E understands the urgency of the situation. 
  10. Who is the emergency responder at/on the county line between Marin and Sonoma Counties?  How do we reach the right person ...and can those agencies get clarity amongst themselves?
    All agencies are supposed to talk with their county line partners. If you own property in both counties you can dial 911 for assistance and that information will end up in both counties.  There is no specific liasion for lands that straddle the Marin-Sonoma County line.  
  11. What funding sources are available to compensate for loss of feed due to wetness?
    The FSA's ELAP program may pay for additional costs associated with replacement feed.  It will require thorough documentation of your feed costs from past years as well as receipts/records related to feed costs this year.  Only if it can be shown that you spent more on feed this year due to natural disasters you may receive funding.  Applications can and should be made as soon as possible, but documentation for your 2026 feed costs as well as records from past years won't be required until Spring of 2027.  Additionally, in April, the state's CUSP program will start accepting applications for extreme weather relief.  View the online list of covered losses (replacement livestock feed is included in the list), and information about CUSP and the organizations accepting applications. 
  12. Would it make sense to form some kind of Marin/Sonoma coalition of farmers and ranchers to stay informed and up to date with local emergency resources?
    Staying in close touch with neighbors and family is very important during unpredictable weather, and everyone should sign up for AlertMarin to receive real-time notifications of emergency conditions.  The best thing would for ranchers to sign up for AlertMarin to receive real-time notifications of emergency conditions.  Additionally, in West Marin, ranchers should connect with Roy Pitts of the Pt. Reyes Disaster Coalition. The PRDC coordinates a network of notifications, including radio operators, linking residents and checking in on folks in impacted areas. Contact 415-747-7558 or tracingrp@gmail.com. 
  13. What resources are there for blocked roads and to get them cleared? I'm worried about making deliveries and customer pick ups?
    The County Office of Emergency Management counsels calling 911 to report blocked roads or downed trees/powerlines.  The dispatcher will then route the situation to the appropriate resource.  Non-emergency issues can be reported to FixIt Marin online or via the FixItMarin app, which generally gets a response within 6 days.  Before setting out on deliveries, you can check the live hazards map to see road closures, flooding, etc.   
  14. Are there ways to divert water without getting a permit? If so, how much?
    In general, the only provision for diverting water without a water right is to support groundwater recharge.  And while the State Water Board has a streamlined pathway for asserting some kind of ownership or control over diverted floodwaters, it is still only in the context of groundwater, not storage above ground like a pond or tank. The State Water Board explains where and when such diversions are allowed as well as who decides such things.  The State Water Board also has a dedicated email address for questions about this provision.  In Marin County, questions about doing work in streams/creeks and diverting water from them as a form of flood control can be directed to Sarah Phillips, Urban Streams Program Manager at Marin RCD: sarah@marinrcd.org.  
  15. What funding will be available for seed being washed away in flooded fields? What about overall crop loss of annual vegetables due to flooding?
    Individual crop insurance may cover crop losses or delayed plantings depending on your policy.  In April, the state's CUSP program will start accepting applications for extreme weather relief.  Cover crop and compost are included in the list, as is crop loss.  View information about CUSP and the organizations accepting applications. 
  16. Will the Ag Passes be valid for flooding or El Niño related disaster evacuations as they would be for fire events?
    In the past, evacuations due to flooding have typically happened on/near Marin County beaches, but if ag lands were to be evacuated, Marin's Sheriff Department says that the Ag Pass would serve to allow producers into an evacuated area.  Once you get yours, the Ag Pass is good for 3 years, so even if you don't need it this winter, you'll be prepared for future fire seasons.  To apply, go to the Marin County Ag Commissioner's Office website. 
  17. Are there programs for replacement of vines damaged or destroyed by natural disasters?
    FSA's TAP Program (Tree & Vine Assistance Program) helps with replacement of trees and vines following a disaster.  Anyone who experiences losses in excess of "normal mortality" due to the disaster can receive 65% of the cost to replace/rehabilitate the trees/vines. (75% if the producer falls into one of the USDA's underserved categories.).  Additionally, in April, the state's CUSP program will start accepting applications for extreme weather relief.  See list of covered losses here. Replacement of trees, vines and other perennial plant losses are included in the list, as are revenue losses due to crop loss.  View information about CUSP and the organizations accepting applications.  NOTE: TAP requires producers to apply for and secure funding *before* doing any repairs while CUSP will pay up to $20,000 for losses/replacement costs already incurred.  
  18. Will crop insurance cover the replacement of fully lost areas of vineyard due to extreme weather including flooding, storms, etc.?
    Talk with your insurer.  There are forms of crop insurance such as NAP and the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program which might provide relief associated with crop losses, but those policies would already need to be in place.  If you have not already signed up for NAP, however, this program is closed for 2026-2027 coverage.  WFRP policies are sold by private insurance brokers according to standards set by the USDA.  The deadline to sign up for 2027 WFRP coverage is Feb 10th, but you would need to initiate a new policy ASAP because it takes 20 days from the time you sign the policy for the coverage to take effect.
  19. Are there any insurance programs available for aquaculture?
    The USDA is piloting a new Shellfish Crop Insurance program that includes Marin County producers.  This program uses your past harvest records to establish a production baseline and can compensate you if harvests are lower than the baseline as a result of a variety of causes, including low salinity caused by excessive rainfall.  The deadline to sign up for the 2027 Shellfish program is November 30th. You can find a local crop insurance agent online.  Additionally, the USDA's Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program can be used to cover revenue losses in aquaculture.  WFRP policies are sold by private insurance brokers according to standards set by the USDA.  The deadline to sign up for 2027 WFRP coverage is Feb 10th, but you would need to initiate a new policy ASAP because it takes 20 days from the time you sign the policy for the coverage to take effect. 

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources that will help you prepare for the road ahead and cope with whatever El Nino may bring:

In Marin County:

General Resources:

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the farmers and ranchers that provided the questions and to Marin and Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management, Marin and Sonoma Sheriff’s Departments, North Bay Water Board and Marin, Sonoma and Goldridge Resource Conservation Districts.