CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: El Niño Preparations
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the City’s El Niño preparedness and storm response plan and provide direction to staff, as appropriate.
Authorize the City Manager to take all necessary and reasonable steps to execute the direction provided by the City Council.
BACKGROUND:
During the September 22, 2026 City Council meeting, the City Council discussed the importance of establishing a coordinated plan in the event El Niño conditions result in significant storm activity. The City Council emphasized the need for the City to remain proactive, take necessary precautions, and ensure appropriate resources and procedures are in place to protect residents, businesses, and City operations.
This direction comes as weather agencies continue to forecast the potential for significant El Niño conditions. On September 10, 2026, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) issued an El Niño Advisory indicating a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong El Niño developing during the fall and winter of 2026–27, with approximately a 69 percent probability that the event will reach its greatest intensity during the December 2026 through February 2027 period.
In response to these projections and the City Council’s direction, City staff have been working collaboratively across departments and with partner agencies to strengthen the City’s preparedness and response efforts. City staff have coordinated across departments and with partner agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and Los Angeles County Fire Department, to develop a comprehensive preparedness and response plan. Staff have also participated in workshops and coordination meetings hosted by Los Angeles County and other agencies to better understand available regional resources, emergency response procedures, and assistance that may be provided to residents before, during, and following significant storm events.
As a result of these efforts, the City of Commerce has developed a coordinated El Niño Preparedness Plan focused on staffing and emergency response, drainage and roadway readiness, resident resources, temporary shelter operations, and public communication.
The plan establishes responsibilities across City departments and partner agencies and identifies resources that may be activated before and during inclement weather. Preparedness information and storm-related updates will be made available to residents and businesses through the City’s social media platforms, Nixle, community handouts, the City website, and other available communication channels.
Staff will continue coordinating with City departments and partner agencies to refine the plan as necessary and will seek any additional guidance or recommendations from the City Council regarding preparedness efforts, community resources, and response priorities.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has taken a proactive approach to preparing for potential El Niño-related weather conditions. The preparedness plan establishes coordinated responsibilities and resources for City departments and partner agencies before and during significant storm events.
Emergency Response and Staffing
Department / Agency
Preparedness and Response
Public Safety
Monitor forecasts up to seven days in advance. The Public Safety Manager will be on duty or available during inclement weather, with two additional Public Safety Officers available to assist with weather-related incidents.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
The Commerce Special Assignment Sergeant will be on duty or available during significant weather events. Two Special Assignment Deputies may be flexed as needed, while City of Commerce line deputies will respond to active emergencies reported through 911. LASD will also assist with identifying and communicating potential weather-related fraud or scams.
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Respond to emergencies reported through 911 and provide emergency assistance as needed. County Fire will also provide designated locations where residents may obtain sandbags for storm preparation.
Public Works Readiness
• Maintain 24/7 standby coverage, with additional and overnight crews scheduled as needed during forecasted periods of heavy rainfall. • Inspect and maintain underpass pumps, portable 4-inch emergency pumps, hoses, flooding signs, and other storm-response equipment to ensure operational readiness. Public Works coordinates pump maintenance with PV Maintenance and Pumpman. • Maintain 10 concrete barriers and approximately 100 barricades for storm response, roadway closures, and traffic control. • Increase catch basin cleaning from quarterly to monthly during the El Niño season. Catch basin cleaning is currently conducted quarterly through Nationwide Environmental Services, with the most recent cleaning completed in August. In preparation for increased rainfall associated with El Niño, and if approved, the City will temporarily increase professional catch basin cleaning to monthly from November through February, or through the end of the El Niño season, as conditions warrant. Street Maintenance crews will also continue conducting weekly Friday inspections and removing debris from catch basin openings and grates to help maintain proper drainage and reduce the potential for localized flooding. • Continue tree maintenance for City-owned trees and trees within the public right-of-way through Northstar. The Bandini neighborhood has been identified as a priority trimming area, with work scheduled in the coming weeks. • Maintain sand at the Public Works Yard for sandbag preparation and distribution and keep pothole patching equipment and materials available. Major problem areas, including Slauson, Bandini, Washington, and Randolph, have been addressed. • Maintain direct coordination with Los Angeles County Public Works Field Supervisors to support response to storm-related conditions as needed.
Sandbag Resources
Public Works has prepared 10 pallets of filled sandbags for residents to help protect their properties from potential flooding. Sandbag resources are available at the following locations:
Location
Address
Resource
City of Commerce Public Works Yard
5601 Washington Boulevard, Commerce
Filled sandbags
Fire Station 39
7000 Garfield Avenue, Bell Gardens
Filled sandbags
Fire Station 22
928 Gerhart Avenue, Commerce
Empty sandbags
Fire Station 27
6031 Rickenbacker Road, Commerce
Empty sandbags
Fire Station 50
2327 Saybrook Avenue, Commerce
Empty sandbags
Temporary Emergency Shelter - BVAC
• The Rosewood Meeting Room at the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center (BVAC) will be available as a temporary emergency shelter, if needed, during severe storms. • Parks and Recreation and City Administration will establish activation procedures and identify staff responsible for opening, managing, and closing the shelter. • Before activation, staff will confirm facility access, restrooms, exits, room capacity, supplies, restricted areas, staffing assignments, and after-hours contacts. • Once activated and confirmed safe, staff will set up the room and signage and coordinate public notifications. Following deactivation, staff will assist with referrals as needed, inspect and clean the room, and return the facility to normal use.
American Red Cross Support
• If an emergency shelter is activated, the City will notify the American Red Cross and provide the designated shelter location. • The American Red Cross will provide staffing and manage shelter operations at no cost to the City, including food, water, cots, and other shelter-related assistance. • Once the American Red Cross is operating the shelter, the location may also be made available to neighboring cities and their residents, as appropriate.
Communication and Notification
• Provide storm-related updates and preparedness information through the City’s official social media platforms and Nixle. • Encourage residents to register for Alert LA County at alert.lacounty.gov for emergency alerts and preparedness information. • Maintain an Emergency Preparedness resource page on the City website and distribute community handouts and other outreach materials as appropriate.
Follow Proposed Communications Toolkit:
Communication
Purpose
Primary Content
Campaign Launch: Commerce Storm Ready
Introduce the seasonal campaign.
Get Alerts • Prepare Your Property • Build Your Kit • Stay Informed • What the City Can and Cannot Do Nixle Enrollment Push
Increase emergency-alert sign-ups.
TEXT 90040 TO 888777; “One text now can help keep you informed when it matters most.” Before the Rain
Prompt household and property preparation.
Build/refresh an emergency kit; make a plan; inspect the home and vehicle; clear private drainage areas; secure outdoor items.
Emergency Kit / Go-Bag
Make preparedness feel manageable.
Simple list of essential supplies; direct residents to the website for the full checklist.
Sandbags: Know Before You Need Them
Explain when, where, and how to obtain sandbags.
Location, hours, household limit, proof of residency, and any pickup instructions.
Flooded Roads & Driving Safety
Reduce avoidable storm-related risks.
Never enter floodwater; do not bypass barricades; slow down; allow extra travel time; avoid unnecessary travel.
Know Who to Call
Help the public reach the right resource.
Emergency, Sheriff non-emergency, City storm-related requests, power outages, water concerns, and City emergency information.
Coordinated Response
The City will continue coordinating with Public Safety, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, City Administration, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, the American Red Cross, Los Angeles County Public Works, and other partner agencies to ensure appropriate staffing, equipment, resources, communication, and response capabilities are in place before and during significant weather events.
Staff will continue to monitor conditions, refine the preparedness plan as necessary, and seek any additional guidance or recommendations from the City Council.
Fiscal Impact
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with receiving and filing the preparedness plan. However, additional costs may be incurred as a result of increasing catch basin cleaning services from quarterly to monthly during the anticipated El Niño season. Any additional costs associated with increased catch basin maintenance, activation of emergency operations, additional overtime/increased hours, supplies, or storm response will be addressed within available budget appropriations or brought forward for City Council consideration, as necessary.
Prepared by: Natalie Hernandez, Senior Management Analyst Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
Fiscal Impact Reviewed by: Alvaro Castellon, Finance Director Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney