Copy of Emergency Preparedness Town Hall

The City of Soledad held an Emergency Preparedness Town Hall on October 20, 2026, with city and Monterey County emergency-management and fire officials. The discussion focused on forecasts of a potentially strong El Niño and winter hazards, including heavy rain, flooding, landslides, high winds, and power outages. Officials urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts, identify their evacuation zones and routes, prepare 72-hour supply kits, secure homes, and use the city’s sandbag supply at 6:30 Tino Street. They also described county response resources and discussed communication alternatives during phone or internet outages, outreach to vulnerable residents, and coordination with schools and agricultural employers.

No contracts, purchases, budget allocations, or procurement decisions were identified, and no votes were taken at the town hall. City officials said the City Council would discuss the emergency operations plan and consider an early emergency declaration at its next meeting, which could help the city request state and federal resources if impacts occur. Officials also said they would follow up on evacuation-route information, the condition and maintenance of county canals, and whether additional warning methods such as sirens could be useful.