O LAGUNA
BEACH
CALIFORNIN
PROCLAMATION OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR
DECLARING A LOCAL EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, Section 2.16.050 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code ("LBMC") appoints the City Manager of the City of Laguna Beach ("City") as the Director of Emergency Services ("Director");
WHEREAS, Section 2.16.060 of the LBMC empowers the Director to proclaim the existence of a "local emergency" whenever the City Council is not in session; WHEREAS, the next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for October 13, 2026, and the Director is therefore empowered to proclaim the existence of a local emergency at this time;
WHEREAS, Section 2.16.020 of LBMC defines "emergency" as "the actual or threatened existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within this [C]ity caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, earthquake or other conditions, ... which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of this [C]ity, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat"; WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code section 8550 et seq.), the City Manager may, as delegated by the aforementioned sections of the LBMC on behalf of the City Council, declare a local emergency and may promulgate orders and regulations necessary to provide for the protection of life and property;
WHEREAS, Section 8558(c) of the Government Code defines a "local emergency" similarly to that of "emergency," as defined in Section 2.16.020 of the LBMC; WHEREAS, the National Hurricane Center ("NHC"), administered through the National Weather Service as a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA"), issued several advisories commencing October 9, 2026, for
Tropical Storm Rachel,' a storm system off the coast of Mexico moving northwestward in the Pacific Ocean;
WHEREAS, NHC issued an advisory at 11:00 a.m., October 9, 2026, that Tropical Storm Rachel is expected to bring strong gusty winds, rainfall, life-threatening surf and rip conditions, and coastal flooding though next week;
WHEREAS, starting on October 8, 2026, Tropical Storm Rachel, in conjunction with high tide and large swells produced dangerous beach conditions along the Southern California coastline, including in the City of Laguna Beach, which have resulted in significant sand movement and coastline erosion throughout the City that remains ongoing. It is expected that flooding in certain low-lying areas of the City will occur during high tide for approximately the next sixteen (16) days;
WHEREAS, on September 10, 2026, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center ('CPC") issued an El Niño Advisory finding a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño during the fall and winter of 2026-27, with an approximately 69% probability that the event will exceed in intensity, during the October through December 2026 season, every El Niño recorded since 1950, and the CPC seasonal outlook has raised the probability of above- normal precipitation to above 50% across much of coastal California, conditions historically associated with damaging storms, and coastal flooding and erosion along the Laguna Beach shoreline;
WHEREAS, the Director finds that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen within the City as a result of the significant surf, rip currents, and sand movement from Tropical Storm Rachel resulting in substantial coastal erosion, and the Director further finds that such conditions of disaster and extreme peril continue as certain City beaches, City infrastructure, and private property remain particularly vulnerable to additional coastal erosion, both immediately and as a result of the anticipated El Niño storm season, which may prevent restoration of sand on the City's beaches and risk the continued erosion and exposure of such beaches, infrastructure, and private property; WHEREAS, Tropical Storm Rachel, exacerbated by the imminent threat of El Niño storm conditions, have necessitated, and are likely to continue to necessitate, the immediate procurement of equipment, materials, services, and construction work to protect life and property, including without limitation emergency shoreline and bluff protection, sand placement, debris removal, structural and geotechnical assessment, and the repair or replacement of damaged public facilities; and the delay attendant to ordinary ' In the event this tropical storm is reclassified (i.e., hurricane, tropical depression, etc.), the findings, analysis and emergency declaration all remain applicable.
competitive solicitation, purchasing, and contracting procedures would imperil public health, safety, and property; and
WHEREAS, the conditions of disaster and extreme peril warrant and necessitate the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH AS FOLLOWS:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference.
2. The conditions of disaster and extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City of Laguna Beach, County of Orange, have arisen as a result of the Tropical Storm Rachel. Impacts and damage from Tropical Storm Rachel have occurred as early as October 8, 202 and the imminent risk of further impacts and the anticipated El Niño storm conditions, are uncontrollable and erratic, and are threatening populated areas and beaches. Flooding and erosion impacts have already been observed at/near Main Beach and Aliso Beach. Coastal erosion and sand movement from these conditions leaves these beaches exposed and at risk for future damage to persons and property.
3. Accordingly, pursuant to LBMC Chapter 2.16, a local emergency now exists in the City of Laguna Beach for the following areas: Main Beach, Aliso Beach, and the immediately adjacent properties, together with such other areas of the City as may be affected by the coastal erosion or sand movement from the Tropical Storm Rachel or the anticipated El Niño storm conditions.
4. In furtherance of this proclamation of this local emergency, there is hereby invoked in the City of Laguna Beach all of the powers and mechanisms set forth in the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code sections 8550 et seq.), Chapter 2.16 of the LBMC, and all other applicable laws, as said powers and mechanisms may hereafter be used by authorized personnel of the City of Laguna Beach and the City of Laguna Beach Emergency Council.
5. As may be reasonable or necessary to address the evolving situation, additional or different emergency measures from those herein described may be implemented by the Director, in accordance with the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code sections 8550 et seq.), Chapter 2.16 of the LBMC, and all other applicable laws.
6. This Proclamation of Local Emergency shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect for a period of seven (7) days from the date hereof, unless ratified by the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach and thereafter extended, or as sooner terminated if the emergency subsides.
Dave Kiff
City Manager / Director of Emergency Services
Dated: October 9, 2026