Resources for flood response efforts in California

California is currently grappling with a severe weather crisis as a combination of heavy rain and king tides, the highest predicted tides of the year, have submerged parts of the San Francisco Bay and surrounding areas. The flooding has reached levels not seen in decades, with water rising to two and a half feet in San Francisco and as high as four feet in Marin County. Multiple counties across the state—in Northern as well as Central and Southern California—have been drenched by persistent storms since late December, and the National Weather Service warns that more rain and coastal flood advisories are expected to continue in the coming days.

Managing increased flood risks on the road 

As the threat continues, roads have become increasingly treacherous and teams can face rapidly changing, potentially dangerous conditions while in the field. To help teams navigate these conditions safely, Samsara provides a suite of tools that provide critical visibility during flooding and severe weather. Here’s how we can help keep your teams safe.

Samsara tools and tips for flood response 

Support frontline teams with up-to-date weather information:

• Weather Intelligence integrates real-time alerts and forecasts into your operations, helping you anticipate road closures or flooding risks. 

• With StreetSense, Samsara’s full network of cameras provides visibility into road conditions, even in areas where you may not currently have vehicles. StreetSense imagery supplements your fleet’s own camera coverage and allows you to validate severe weather conditions or confirm safe travel routes.

Plan safer routes and monitor vehicle readiness:

• Fleet telematics and advanced route planning allow managers to coordinate movements to avoid known road closures and flooded areas.

• In addition, you can monitor fuel levels to help ensure vehicles are operational for extended use during storms.

Coordinate field teams and keep them informed:

• Teams can use two-way messaging in the Samsara Driver App to instantly share instructions or safety updates, enabling teams to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, such as sudden mudslides or flooding, to maintain operational resilience.

• Managers can also use live location sharing to coordinate with field crews via secure links.

Protect lone and mobile workers: 

• The Samsara Wearable supports lone and mobile teams who need to work in remote locations with fall detection, movement tracking, and an integrated SOS button for instant alerts.

Document incidents for faster resolution:

• Following a flood, it's crucial to document possible damage and the status of the environment and equipment. Samsara post-incident response workflows automate alerts, status updates, and reporting directly from the field. 

Monitor connectivity in real time:

• Samsara's Virtual Network Operations Center (VNOC) monitors device connectivity in real time and works directly with carriers to resolve issues quickly. We’ve enabled automatic network failover for customers in high-risk areas, which allows Samsara devices to switch between the top two U.S. carriers to preserve coverage during outages. 

• For first responders, our FirstNet integration provides priority communication access and near real-time routing and dispatch insights for fast, informed decisions.

Learn more about Samsara’s disaster response tools.

Emergencies are inherently unpredictable, but your organization's response doesn't have to be. The safety of our customers and communities is always our top priority, and we’re committed to helping our customers and their communities stay safe, connected, and operational. Our team is available 24/7 if you need assistance.