California is under a state of emergency Monday ahead of what officials say could be a historically intense El Niño rain season, with Gov. Gavin Newsom directing state agencies to stage equipment, protect infrastructure and prepare communities for severe weather this winter.
El Niño is already strengthening, and forecasters expect the climate pattern to continue to intensify, potentially becoming the strongest in recorded history.
The governor’s emergency declaration mobilizes resources and streamlines preparations for anticipated powerful storms. Officials warn El Niño could bring heavy rain, strong winds, mountain snow and coastal flooding.
“California is strongest when we look out for one another,” Newsom said in a statement. “That is what this action is about. Giving communities the support they need, giving first responders the tools to do their jobs, and giving families the confidence that their state is ready. We are preparing for this El Niño early because every Californian deserves to be safe in their home, connected to their community, and protected when severe weather comes.”
El Niño is a natural climate pattern identified by warmer-than-average temperatures in the tropical waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean that can cause weather patterns to shift, bringing more rainfall to California. A study published in the journal Science last month found El Niño events currently are over 36% stronger than before the industrial era that began in the late 19th century, with that trend accelerating during the last four decades as temperatures turn warmer across the planet.
Officials from the governor’s office said the emergency declaration orders state agencies to lead flood-risk-reduction efforts in local communities, provide flood-fighting supplies such as sandbags and pumps while also pre-positioning other critical equipment. The California National Guard will also be called in to assist with emergency response.
“California is already taking steps now to protect communities from a potentially historic El Niño because we know how serious these weather extremes driven by climate change can be,” the state’s Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said in a statement.
The proclamation also directs the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or OES, along with state agencies, to expand multilingual public outreach efforts about preparedness for severe weather, flooding, emergency alerts, evacuation readiness, power outages and more.
“We are not waiting for this season’s storms to be on our doorstep,” according to a statement by OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. “Cal OES is leading California’s statewide efforts by bringing state and local partners together, conducting advance planning efforts and identifying potential needs before impacts occur. By planning early and coordinating resources ahead of El Niño, we are working to ensure communities and first responders have the personnel, equipment and support they need to prepare for severe weather, respond quickly when conditions change and protect lives and property across California.”
Forecasters said dangerous weather is possible this fall and winter, with impacts such as repeated heavy rain, strong winds, mountain snow, flooding, landslides, debris flows, large waves as well as coastal flooding, especially when storms occur during very high tides..
“For families, that can mean roads closed by flooding or rockslides, power outages, neighborhoods cut off, damage to homes and businesses, and fast-changing conditions that leave little time to react,” according to the governor’s office.
Californians should prepare early because El Niño is getting stronger, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event this fall and winter and a 75% chance it could reach historic strength, state officials said. The Pacific Ocean is uncharacteristically warm, which can cause storm tracks to shift and load the atmosphere with more energy throughout the coming months.
Weather forecasters said the extremely large waves fueled by Hurricane Marie that damaged Southern California beaches this month could be an indication of El Niño’s power. The weather pattern typically emerges every two to seven years with a duration of nine months to a year.
A specific dollar amount tied to the preparedness effort was not yet available, Brian Ferguson of Cal OES said during a virtual media briefing Monday as reported by City News Service.
Laura Hollander of the state Department of Water Resources said Southern California residents are likely to see more storms during the El Niño season.
With powerful storms come coastal erosion “especially as strong storms make landfall,” she said. But conditions can change quickly and of particular concern are large waves predicted in November and December.
“Storms are among the deadliest disasters we face here in California,” Jacobs said. “People underestimate the power of water.”
Earlier this month Los Angeles County District 3 Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said local crews have been working to prepare for winter storms.
“After fires, floods, and landslides, we know exactly what is at stake when heavy rain hits Los Angeles,” Horvath said in a statement. “LA County crews have been doing the work year-round; now we’re making sure every part of county government is ready to move together when conditions change. The time to prepare is now, and Los Angeles County is here to make sure our communities have the information, resources and support they need to be ready.”
County crews are inspecting and maintaining dams, debris basins, channels, storm drains and water pump stations while also monitoring burn areas, hillsides and other locations at risk of flooding and debris flows, according to Horvath’s office. The county is also preparing for evacuations and emergency shelter in addition to making plans for assisting unhoused county residents, older adults and others who may need additional help during severe weather.
San Bernardino County officials said for residents in mountain communities, “preparedness means being ready for conditions that can change quickly. Wildfires, winter storms, landslides, power outages and road closures can disrupt daily life, limit travel or require residents to evacuate with little notice.”
Residents can download the Ready SB County app and sign up for the TENS emergency notification system to receive information before and during an emergency.
While El Niño does not guarantee a wet winter or any particular storm, it heightens the risk of strong storms, prompting state officials to suggest that residents:
- “Sign up for alerts. Get local emergency alerts (at listoscalifornia.org/alerts) and follow trusted sources” at listoscalifornia.org/resources/county-emergency-information-resource-sheets-english.
- “Know your flood risk. Find out whether your home or workplace is in a flood-prone area or downslope of an area recently affected by wildfire, where heavy rain can increase the risk of flooding, debris flows, and mudslides.
- “Stay informed. Pay attention to weather forecasts and sign up for emergency alerts from your city or county. Conditions can change quickly during major storms, so follow instructions from local emergency officials.
- “Have an evacuation plan. Know where you would go and how you would get there if you need to leave quickly. Keep an emergency kit ready, including plans, medications, and supplies for pets and other animals.
- “Never drive through floodwater. Water on flooded roads can be deeper and faster-moving than it appears, and roadways may be damaged or washed out beneath the water. Turn around and find another route.
