From: [email protected]
To: City Clerk
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: FW: FW: FW: Request for Encinitas Coastal Flooding and El Niño Preparedness Plan Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 12:45:40 PM
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From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]> Sent: September 14, 2026 at 1:30 PM PDT
Subject: FW: Request for Encinitas Coastal Flooding and El Niño Preparedness Plan ----------Forwarded Message----------
To: [email protected]
Sent: September 11, 2026 at 12:32 PM PDT
Subject: Request for Encinitas Coastal Flooding and El Niño Preparedness Plan Dear Mayor Bruce Ehlers and Members of the Encinitas City Council, We are writing to ask what specific steps the City of Encinitas is taking to prepare for the increased risk of coastal flooding, erosion, storm surge, and infrastructure damage that may occur during the upcoming fall and winter months. As a business owners in this community for over 45 years, we have seen first hand on several occasions the damage to the Coast Highway and the coastal businesses along the Restaurant Row in Cardiff-by-the Sea and the Cardiff State Beach due to previous El Nino events.
There is growing concern throughout Southern California about the developing El Niño conditions. Recent coastal events in Southern California have already demonstrated how vulnerable our coastline can be to unusually large surf, erosion, and flooding. The latest forecasts are indicating a potentially very strong El Niño for the 2026–27 winter season, which could bring increased rainfall, stronger storms, larger surf, coastal erosion, and elevated coastal flooding.
As Encinitas residents and business owners, we would like to understand what the City is doing now—not only what is included in long-term climate and coastal plans—to prepare for the possibility of significant storms in the coming months.
Specifically, we would appreciate answers to the following questions:
1. What is the City's current assessment of the coastal flooding and erosion risk for Encinitas this fall and winter?
2. Which areas of Encinitas are considered the most vulnerable to coastal flooding, storm surge, and erosion, and what specific preparations are being made in those locations?
3. What is being done to ensure that storm drains, culverts, drainage channels, pumps, outfalls, and other flood-control infrastructure are cleaned, inspected, and fully operational before the major storm season begins?
4. Are additional temporary measures being considered, such as pumps, sandbags, flood barriers, emergency drainage equipment, or other protective measures in known flood-prone areas?
5. What is the City's plan for protecting critical infrastructure such as Coast Highway 101, roads, wastewater facilities, utilities, public access points, beaches, and the coastal bluffs if we experience repeated high tides combined with large surf and heavy rainfall?
6. What contingency plans are in place if coastal flooding occurs at the same time as heavy rainfall and high winds? My understanding is that these three conditions occurring together could create substantially greater flooding than each event by itself.
7. Has the City modeled the potential impact of the anticipated El Niño conditions on Encinitas specifically, including the possibility of elevated sea levels, high tides, storm surge, and coastal erosion?
8. What communication and warning system will be used for residents and businesses if flooding or dangerous coastal conditions are expected? How much advance notice can residents and businesses expect?
9. What emergency response resources have been allocated for this storm season, including personnel, pumps, equipment, Public Works resources, Fire Department resources, and emergency contractors?
10. Finally, what are the City's specific plans and timetable for addressing coastal vulnerabilities that have already been identified, rather than waiting until damage occurs? We recognize that the City has already undertaken storm-preparation activities and has longerterm coastal resilience and sea-level-rise programs. However, the current circumstances appear to warrant an additional level of preparation. The City's own planning documents recognize coastal flooding and bluff erosion as significant vulnerabilities, and Encinitas has experienced substantial coastal impacts during past El Niño events.
We are not looking to create unnecessary alarm. Rather, I believe this is the appropriate time for the City to communicate clearly with residents and businesses about the risks and the actions being taken to reduce them.
We would appreciate a written response outlining the City's current preparedness measures, particularly those that will be implemented before the upcoming fall and winter storm season.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue and for your continued work to protect the Encinitas community.
Sincerely,
David Murphey
President, Las Olas Inc.
Peter Johnson
Vice President, Las Olas Inc.
2655 S. Coast Hwy 101
Cardiff by the Sea, Ca. 92007