Citywide Storm Action
Plan
September 23, 2026
1 Ag e n d a
2 Introduction and
Overview
2026 Winter
Weather
Forecast
Past Storm
Events and
Proactive
Measures
Prepare for a
Storm Event
Respond During
the Storm
Recover and
Restore
Operations
Next Steps
F a ll 2 0 2 6 a n d Win te r 2 0 2 7 E l Niñ o Up d a te 3 El Niño is an oceanic
phenomenon – not a storm
or series of storms.
Warmer ocean temperatures in the
Pacific increase the chance for a
wetter winter
NOAA is predicting a 98% chance of a
very strong El Niño - The outcome if
far from certain!
Expected to strengthen through the fall
and influence weather patterns this
winter
Strong El Niño in the San
Diego Region
Increases the chance of heavy rain,
localized flooding and storm-related
impacts
When does NOAA expect
rainfall: Subject to change
Sep-Oct: No significant rainy season
change
Nov-Dec: Chances for above normal
rainfall begins to increase
Jan-Mar: Greatest potential for wetter
than normal conditions
Local Impacts
Encinitas averages 11 to 12 inches of
rain annually
Encinitas may experience wetter-thanaverage conditions Potential increase for coastal flooding
& erosion risk
His to ric a l S to rm E v e n ts & Imp a c ts o n
E n c in ita s
4 7.3 inches of rain
April 2020
December 2022 – January 2023
6.7 inches of rain
9.8 inches of rain
January–February 2024
P ro a c tiv e Me a s u re s : City
5 Operational Readiness
Main Drainage Measure
(N. Coast Hwy 101
Drainage Project)
City Council Action
After the 2024 Storm
Events
Leucadia Streetscape
Drainage Upgrades
South Leucadia
Watershed Coastal Projects
Future Projects (Prop 4
Funding)
P ro a c tiv e Me a s u re s : Re s id e n ts
6 • Include evacuation routes and a communication plan. •Document your plan.
Have an emergency plan
• Batteries, flashlights, weather radio, first aid kit, etc. • Ensure valuables, documents and medications are readily available and in waterproof containers.
Create an emergency Go-Kit
Sign-up for emergency notifications – Alert San Diego
Add Genasys Protect app to your phone to receive real-time information Monitor weather conditions – National Weather Service San Diego • Inspect and remove debris from drains, culverts and gutters. • Inspect structure, including windows and roof.
• Inspect trees and bushes that could break or become airborne during storm-related wind. • Secure outdoor furniture & umbrellas, trash cans and other items that could blow away or cause damage during strong winds. • Place sandbags in flood-prone areas on your property: Divert water away from doors and low entry points before the storm.
Ensure your home is storm-ready
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t
7 City Buildings
and Facilities
Development
Services Engineering Fire
Finance Information
Technology
Parks,
Recreation,
Cultural Arts
Public Works
Risk
Management Utilities
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – City Bu ild in g s a n d F a c ilitie s 8 • Inspect and clear roof drains and gutters
• Secure loose items
• Inspect windows and doors
• Evaluate trees (PRCA)
Exterior & Structural Protection
• Test backup generators (PW-Fleet)
• Protect electronics (IT)
• Consider shutting down non-essential systems
Facilities & Utilities
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – De v e lo p me n t S e rv ic e De p a rtme n t Coastal Zone Management Program
Proactive sand management
• United States Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE)
• San Diego County Project
• Cardiff State Beach Living Shoreline
• Opportunistic Beach Fill Program (OBFP)
Emergency Coastal Development Permitting
Emergency Beach Response
9 P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – E n g in e e rin g 10 Public and Private Construction Activities
• Activate the project's Storm Water Pollution Control Plan • Secure or store loose construction materials.
• Storm drain inlet protection and erosion control measures • Safeguard heavy equipment
Administrative and Communication Protocols
• Confirm accurate 24/7 contact information
• Establish inspection plan pre/post storm
City Future Construction Projects
• Leucadia Streetscape/Highway 101 Drainage project
• FY 2026-26 Storm Drain Lining/Rehabilitation project
• S. Vulcan Storm Drain Mainline (Union St to Encinitas Blvd) project Evaluation of Storm Drain controls/valves within the Leucadia SD System Preparing For A Storm Event – Finance
11 • Establish emergency reserves
• Pre-authorize spending thresholds
Budget & Liquidity
Preparation
• Fast-track vendor onboarding
• Verify vendor insurance
Vendor & Procurement
Protocols
• Set up distinct cost codes
• Review FEMA/CalOES guidelines
Accounting & Disaster
Recovery
• Audit municipal policies Risk & Insurance
Review
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – F ire
12 Pre-position assets
Coordinate City staffing
levels with incoming
major storm events
Specialized water
rescue teams -
Swiftwater analysis
City’s Interdepartmental
Working Group
Regional Emergency
Management
Coordination
Ensure Emergency
Operations Center
(EOC) readiness
Coordinate Encinitas
CERT support, as
needed
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – In fo rma tio n Te c h n o lo gy 13 Maintain critical
information systems
Continuity of City
technology
Website updates,
MyEncinitas application
updates, GIS updates
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – P RCA
14 • Clear debris and prevent sediment run off
• Gravel bags, straw wattles and BMPs will be deployed on steep trails and areas identified to erosion • Inspect and clean brow ditches, storm drains and natural channels • Install signage to close trails before and during storms as needed Inspect trails and open space
Proactively close identified areas prior to large storm events • Contact seniors who may be homebound during long periods of rainstorms Share information at the Community and Senior Center and PVAC Inspect trees in high-risk areas
Assist Public Works with staging sandbags and sand
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – P u b lic Wo rk s (P h a s e 1 ) 15 All Public Works staff participate in annual inclement weather training Communication checks
Staffing plan
Prepare storm logs
MS4 Maintenance Activities
Above ground sweeps to clear debris from gutters, roads, channels Sandbag distribution support (Leucadia Roadside Park and Public Works Operations Facility)
Establish project strings and Cityworks Work Order
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – P u b lic Wo rk s (P h a s e 2 ) 16 Rain predicated at 0.5” or greater in a 24-hour period Flooded Signs
Five Pumps/Hoses
Preparation of equipment (Vac Con / Tender Truck / Fleet) Sandbag preparation
Pre-clean sump, sluice gate valve and shut down UV station / remove weirs
Contractors on standby
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t – Ris k Ma n a g e me n t 17 Document all stormrelated contracts and
conditions
Maintain complete fieldresponse documentationPreserve a centralized record
Assess conditions
P re p a rin g F o r A S to rm E v e n t - Ut ilit ie s 18 Water system
• No concerns about power
outage – Gravity System
• Portable generators to ensure
continuous communication
with the R.E. Badger plant
• One pump station is an
emergency station with a
generator
• Completed maintenance of all
Pressure regulating stations
• 13 Interconnects with OMWD
and SFID
• Update emergency on call
contracts
• CWA member Agencies
Mutual Aid agreement
Wastewater
• Identify hot spots
• Coordinate with San Elijo for
pump station operation
• Update emergency on call
contracts
Support Public Works
• Personnel
• Equipment
Re s p o n d in g Du rin g T h e S to rm
19 Area
Monitoring
Emergency
Response Traffic Safety
Risk
Management
Re c o v e rin g a n d Re s to rin g Op e ra tio n s
20 Debris Removal / Safe
Paths of Travel
Identify damaged
locations for repair
Update risk-based
priorities for future
storm events
If damages were
incurred, initiate cost
recovery activities
S to rm Ac tio n P la n - Co mmu n ic a tio n s Ap p ro a c h 21 Audiences
• Encinitas residents
• Property & business
owners
• Seniors & vulnerable
populations
• Schools &
community partners
• Visitors &
beachgoers
Visual Identity
• Storm Ready
Encinitas
• Consistent theme
• Template
development
• Clear
Communications
Strategies
• Webpage and Social
Media Outreach
• MyEncinitas App
• Distribute
Information: Flyers
and Videos
• Local and Regional
Outreach
GOAL: Build a storm-ready community by providing timely, actionable information before, during and after significant weather events.
Ne x t S te p s
22 Staff will continue to meet and evaluate future actions • Administrative, emergency management, and operational staff • Constantly communicating, assessing, and planning
Information may be distributed through the City’s Communication Channels • Social media
• City website
• City newsletter
• MyEncinitas App
• City Council presentations or meetings
Continue to evaluate maintenance, operational, and capital project needs N e x t S t e p s
E v a l u a t i n g N e e d s - S t a f f i n g , E q u i p m e n t , S u p p l y 23 MONITOR EXISTING
STORM EVENT
OPERATIONS
ADD ADDITIONAL
DRAINAGE PUMPS
VENDORS,
CONTRACTORS, OR CITY
PURCHASES
INSPECT AND DOCUMENT
IDENTIFIED AREAS
IMPACTED BY THE STORM
Citywide Storm Action
Plan
September 23, 2026
24