San Jose prepares Coyote Creek residents for winter storm

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- As the Bay Area braces for the first major storm of the season, there are continued efforts in the South Bay to avoid a repeat of last year's flooding near Coyote Creek. For some, any mention of it strikes a nerve, bringing back flashbacks of the devastating floods in February.

In recent months, officials from the Santa Clara Valley Water District have been working to prevent another flooding catastrophe from happening. We found crews in the Rock Springs neighborhood installing a sheet pile flood wall to help shore up the area Wednesday.

RELATED: Army Corps of engineers to help assess Coyote Creek for future flood prevention

In North San Jose, Pastor Scott Wagers of the CHAM Deliverance Ministry is checking on the homeless who live near the creek. Many of them didn't know the first major storm of the season was on its way until the pastor said something. The memories of being submerged still haunt them to this day.

Pastor Wagers, who spent the day handing out food and water, is asking for items such as blankets and tarps to be donated to his ministry so that he can pass them along to some of the area's most vulnerable.

For residents within the Santa Clara Valley Water District, sandbags are now available for pick-up. The water district is taking a pro-active approach and providing these resources now so that residents can plan ahead.

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