San Jose

Santa Clara County Spends $90 Million on Flood Protection for El Niño Storms

The Santa Clara Valley Water District is spending nearly $90 million on flood protections projects in preparation for expected El Niño storms this winter.

Crews on Monday spent time working on the Calabazas Creek in San Jose, just off Bollinger Road. The $600,000 project aims to repair the creek bed and shore up the hillside to prevent flooding.

Water district leaders said without the repairs, homes and power lines in the area would be at-risk during El Niño storms.

Another project includes repairs at Penitencia Creek.

"Crews are working Saturday and Sunday doing bank repairs, and removing trees and debris that has accumulated in creeks," said Chad Grande, a field operations unit manager.

The debris and trees in rivers trap water and cause flooding, officials said.

Crews are also working with emergency response crews to prepare for flooding and the district plans to open more sandbag stations throughout the county.

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