CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 10/06/2026
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider adopting a resolution proclaiming the existence of a local emergency in anticipation of the 2026-2027 El Niño Event
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-__, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE 2026-2027 EL NIÑO EVENT.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact to adopt a Resolution to proclaim a local emergency. However, there are ongoing costs to prepare for the El Niño storm season, ranging from inspecting and clearing out storm drains to winterization efforts. These costs are currently being covered by existing appropriations in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Operating Budget. However, if and when there are any available State, County, or Federal opportunities to reimburse City costs to prepare for, respond to, and/or recover from impacts caused by El Niño, the City will pursue those opportunities. VR Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager CJ
REVIEWED BY: Same as below
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Draft Resolution Proclaiming a Local Emergency due to El Niño (Page A-1) B. State of California Proclamation (Page B-1)
C. City of Long Beach Proclamation (Page C-1)
D. County of Los Angeles Proclamation (Page D-1)
E. Los Angeles County Tips to Prepare for El Niño (Linked) 1 CITYOF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
BACKGROUND:
As California heads into the 2026–2027 winter season, El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean continue to strengthen. As of September 17, 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center states that El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90% chance of becoming a very strong event this fall/winter and a 75% chance that it will become a historic event that exceeds the strength of previous El Niño events dating back to 1950.
A strong El Niño increases the potential for prolonged winter storms, strong winds, and high surf that can cause flooding, erosion, landslides, transportation disruptions, utility outages, and other hazards. For Rancho Palos Verdes, those risks are especially concerning given the City’s ongoing landslide conditions and potential damage to slopes, roads, storm drains, sewer lines, and other infrastructure in the area. All of these hazards may result in disruptions to essential City services and create emergencies that require significant preparation, mitigation, and recovery responses.
Because many of the resources needed to respond to severe weather cannot be put in place at the last minute, the City is taking steps now to prepare for the effects of El Niño.
This includes identifying and staging equipment and supplies, preparing staff, testing emergency response protocols, and generally ensuring the City is in a position to respond quickly if significant storms develop. Winterization measures in the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex (Landslide Complex) are also in progress, including enclosing and hardening deep dewatering wells, securing canyon liners, cleaning and clearing storm drains, replacing sandbags, filling fissures, erosion control and drainage improvements in areas prone to flooding such as along Palos Verdes Drive South.
Other agencies in the region are taking similar actions to prepare for and respond to El Niño. However, some have taken the additional step of proclaiming emergencies, in order to increase coordination between departments and outside agencies and use available emergency contracting and procurement authorities to streamline efforts to prepare for and respond to the potential impacts from El Niño.
• September 21, 2026 - Governor Newsom proclaimed a statewide State of Emergency for the El Niño event, directing State agencies to begin protecting communities, prepare roads and critical infrastructure, stage emergency supplies, and help local partners reduce floods, landslide, and coastal risks. It streamlines procurement and fast-tracks permitting to prepare for El Niño’s anticipated impacts. It also prepares the California National Guard to support flood response, search-and-rescue, engineering, and logistics missions when needed. (Attachment B)
• September 21, 2026 – City of Long Beach proclaimed a local emergency, following recent coastal damage from Hurricane Marie and in preparation for the coming El 2 Niño season. The proclamation authorizes all City departments to take necessary steps to prepare for, mitigate, and recover from the potential impacts. This includes coordinating with appropriate government agencies, utilities, transportation agencies, non-profits and private-sector partners. It also authorizes departments to prepare and procure resources, consistent with the emergency purchasing and contracting authorities in their Municipal Code. (Attachment C) • September 23, 2026 - Los Angeles County proclaimed a Local Emergency, stating that El Niño’s impacts are beyond its control or resources and identifying the need to coordinate with other jurisdictions to effectively prepare, respond to, and recover from the event. (Attachment D)
DISCUSSION:
Staff recommend the City Council also consider proclaiming a local emergency ahead of the anticipated impacts of the forecasted 2026-2027 El Niño event, using the emergency authorities and procedures available under Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 and Government Code §§ 8630, 8680.9, and 8558. These authorities would give the City additional flexibility and authority to more quickly identify, purchase, stage, and pre-position equipment, personnel, and other resources that may be needed before or during major El Niño storm events. It would also urge all departments to enhance coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, Los Angeles County, the State, federal agencies, utility providers, transportation agencies, and other public and private partners to prepare for and respond to El Niño accordingly.
These authorities would help the City act more quickly as conditions develop and also reduce delays when immediate action is needed to protect life and property, maintain access and essential City services, and protect critical public infrastructure.
It is important to note, however, that a local emergency proclamation does not, by itself, make the City’s preparedness or response costs eligible for State or federal reimbursement. Reimbursement would depend on applicable State and federal requirements, the exact disaster being declared, the eligible expenses, and other conditions that are unknown at this time. The proclamation can support future requests for assistance, but it does not guarantee that the City will be reimbursed for costs incurred before or during the emergency.
Lastly, it should be noted that this proclamation will remain into effect for the next 60 days.
In order to be effective past that initial period, the City Council must renew the proclamation during a duly noticed meeting of the Council prior to its expiration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Residential and Commercial Readiness
3 Los Angeles County’s Office of Emergency Management and the City are urging all residents and business owners to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño (Attachment E). This includes:
1. Know Your Flood Risk: Understand your property’s flood risk by visiting the National Flood Insurance Program and County Floodways website. If you feel it is necessary, consider purchasing a separate policy for flood insurance, especially if you live in areas that have experienced flooding issues in the past. Begin by requesting quotes from your insurance agent or at www.floodsmart.gov. Please note that flood insurance can take at least 30 days to go into effect.
2. Protect Your Home: Clear gutters, downspouts, storm drains, and swales of any debris that can clog water from draining away from your home or business; inspect your roof for leaks and begin procuring sandbags to help prevent flooding and also redirect water flows away from your property and structures.
3. Trim Weak Branches: Heavy rain and wind can turn loose branches into expensive damage. Trim or remove weak branches or trees.
4. Stay Informed: Sign up to receive emergency alerts from https:// www.alertsouthbay.com and www.ready.lacounty.gov.
5. Prepare Your Family: Make a family plan to meet at a designated location after an emergency occurs; prepare a multi-day supply kit for each family member; make sure your vehicle is in good condition.
The County’s frequently asked questions and tips on how to prepare are available under Attachment B.
CONCLUSION:
The City Council is being asked to adopt the attached resolution proclaiming the existence of a local emergency in anticipation of the forecasted, historic 2026-2027 El Niño event this winter.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff’s Recommendations, the following alternative actions are available for the City Council’s consideration:
1) Do not proclaim a local emergency and direct staff to return with alternative options or additional information.
2) Take other action as deemed appropriate.
4 01203.0023 2198392.1 9/26/2026
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA,
PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL
EMERGENCY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE 2026-2027
EL NIÑO EVENT
WHEREAS, in the past several years, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (the “City”) has experienced increasingly severe and destructive storms, including atmospheric river events, that have caused flooding, high winds, power outages, road closures, damage to critical infrastructure, disruption of essential services, and the accelerated movement of the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex (Landslide Complex); and WHEREAS, the City is facing imminent and proximate threat to safety of persons and property due to the developing and likely historic 2026–2027 El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean adjacent to the City’s coastline; and
WHEREAS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, in its September 17, 2026 diagnostic report, found that the El Niño event is strengthening, with a greater than 90 percent chance of becoming a very strong event during the fall and winter of 2026–2027; and WHEREAS, the Climate Prediction Center also projected a 75 percent chance that the event will reach historic strength between October through December 2026 and exceed the strength of all prior El Niño events in the historical record beginning in 1950; and
WHEREAS, the City has already begun to experience effects attributed to this El Niño event, including unusual precipitation and weather patterns, as well as high surf and coastal shoreline erosion, throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, the City can anticipate that atmospheric rivers and storms caused by the forecasted El Niño have the potential to yield similar impacts seen with past storm events, such as flooding, high winds, other weather-related impacts; power outages, road closures, damage to homes and critical infrastructure (in particular to Palos Verdes Drive South); disruptions to essential services; and the acceleration of the Landslide Complex.
WHEREAS, these anticipated impacts demonstrate the importance of procuring and positioning emergency response resources and taking additional actions to prepare in advance for and respond to the forecasted El Niño event; and WHEREAS, in light of that experience, the City Council deems it essential to take action now to enable the City to facilitate the process of quickly preparing for, preventing, and responding to the potential impacts of the anticipated El Niño event; and WHEREAS, on September 21, 2026, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a state of emergency statewide due to the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event and directed State agencies to take early actions to protect vulnerable communities, critical infrastructure, and emergency response capabilities; and A-1
01203.0023/1003066.1 Resolution No. 2026-__
WHEREAS, as of September 23, 2026, the County of Los Angeles also proclaimed a local emergency countywide due to the impending 2026-2027 El Niño event; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 and Government Code §§ 8630, 8680.9, and 8558, the City Council has the authority to proclaim the existence of a local emergency to protect and preserve public welfare when the City is affected or likely to be affected by a public emergency; and WHEREAS, the City has a responsibility to take such proactive measures to protect life and property and maintain essential services before, during, and after significant storm events, including preparing and positioning personnel, equipment, supplies, emergency response resources, and other materials in advance of anticipated impacts; and
WHEREAS, the potential impacts of the anticipated El Niño event may exceed the City's normal day-to-day operational capabilities and may require extraordinary preparedness measures, expedited procurement, additional personnel and contractual resources, and enhanced coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, regional agencies, Los Angeles County, the State of California, federal agencies, utility providers, transportation agencies, and other public and private partners; and
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The City Council hereby determines that the above recitals are true and correct and incorporate the same as the findings of the City Council.
Section 2. A Local Emergency Exists. The City Council finds, pursuant to Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 and Government Code §§ 8630, 8680.9, and 8558, there exists a condition of peril to the safety of persons and property exiting within the City due to the predicted very strong or historic strength El Niño event.
Section 3. Coordination and Preparation are Ordered. City departments shall take all appropriate actions to identify, procure, stage, and pre-position equipment, supplies, materials, services, personnel, and other resources necessary to prepare for and respond to the potential impacts of the developing 2026–2027 El Niño event and winter storm season, consistent with the emergency purchasing and contracting authorities established by applicable law and the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code.
Section 4. Local Resources May Be Inadequate. The City Council further finds, pursuant to Government Code § 8625(c), the El Niño event is likely to cause conditions that, by reason of their magnitude, are likely to be beyond the scope and control of City services, personnel, equipment, and facilities and will require the City to seek mutual aid from the State of California, the County of Los Angeles and other regional agencies to appropriately respond to the same.
A-2
01203.0023/1003066.1 Resolution No. 2026-__
Section 5. A Local Emergency is Hereby Proclaimed. Based on the foregoing, the City Council hereby proclaims that a state of local emergency exists within the City because of the predicted very strong or historic-strength El Niño event for 2026-2027.
Section 6. Authority Granted. Based on the foregoing, the City Council further proclaims and orders that, during the existence of said local emergency, the powers, authority, functions and duties of the Disaster Council, Director, and the City’s emergency services organizations shall be those prescribed by State Law, City ordinances, Resolution No. 2023-47, and any other applicable resolutions, and approved plans of the City in order to address the predicted impacts on the City from the very strong or historicstrength El Niño event for 2026-2027.
Section 7. Immunity Invoked. To the maximum extent permitted by law, and pursuant to Government Code §§ 866 and 8655, the City Council hereby invokes the immunities afforded to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in adopting and implementing the proclamation of local emergency because of the extreme peril to the safety of persons and property due to the developing El Niño event.
Section 8. Duration & Continuing Proclamation. The local emergency shall be deemed to continue to exist until its termination is proclaimed by the City Council in accordance with Government Code § 8630. Government Code § 8630 further requires the City Council to review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days.
Section 9. Severability. If any subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Resolution or any application of it to any person, structure, gathering, or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Resolution.
Section 10. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council finds that this Resolution is proposed to allow the City to continue to address and mitigate an imminent threat to public health and safety and therefore is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code § 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines § 15269.
Section 11. Effectiveness. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. A copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the California Office of Emergency Services (“Cal OES”) and Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Services (“LACOEM”). The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution.
A-3
01203.0023/1003066.1 Resolution No. 2026-__
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 6th day of October, 2026. ________________________________
Paul Seo, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 2026-__ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on October 6, 2026. _____________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
A-4
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS in the past several years, California has experienced increasingly severe and destructive storms, including atmospheric river events that have caused widespread flooding, mud and debris flows, landslides, high winds, power outages, road and highway closures, evacuation orders, damage to homes and critical infrastructure, and disruption of essential services; and WHEREAS climate change is intensifying these weather and hydrologic extremes in California, contributing to increasingly severe swings between drought and flooding, and heightening the risks that extreme storms pose to communities, infrastructure, natural resources, and the economy; and WHEREAS California is entering the 2026–2027 wet season amid the ongoing development of a strong and likely historic El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean; and
WHEREAS the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, in its August 13, 2026, diagnostic report, found that the El Niño event is strengthening, with a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong event during Northern Hemisphere fall and winter of 2026–2027; and
WHEREAS the Climate Prediction Center projected a 69 percent chance that the event will reach historic strength during the October through December 2026 season, defined as a three-month Relative Oceanic Niño Index, and exceeding the strength of all prior El Niño events in the historical record beginning in 1950; and
WHEREAS the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center has found that atmospheric conditions over the tropical Pacific are consistent with a strengthening El Niño, including changes in equatorial winds and an eastward shift in enhanced convection and rainfall toward the central and eastern Pacific, making it more likely that at least some parts of California will experience stronger storms in coming months; and
WHEREAS elevated baseline coastal water levels, combined with high tides, large waves, high surf, and coastal storms, can increase risks of coastal flooding, beach erosion, bluff erosion, transportation disruption, and damage to public and private infrastructure; and
WHEREAS California has already begun to experience effects attributed to this El Niño event, including unusual precipitation and significant coastal flooding; and
WHEREAS historical experience demonstrates that very strong El Niño events do not produce uniform statewide outcomes, but can be associated with exceptionally wet and destructive winter conditions in California; and WHEREAS California’s recent experience with atmospheric rivers, debris flows following wildfires, flash flooding, coastal erosion, inundation, and damage to transportation and flood-control infrastructure demonstrates the importance of procuring and positioning resources, clearing waterways, and taking additional actions to prepare before severe storms arrive; and WHEREAS areas affected by recent wildfires are particularly susceptible to flash flooding, mud and debris flows, erosion, sediment transport, and road closures during high-intensity rainfall; and
B-1
WHEREAS in light of that experience, local governments, local water agencies, and local flood control authorities have requested action now to enable them to move quickly to begin preparations for preventing and responding to the impacts of potential flooding; and
WHEREAS low-income communities, farmworker families, rural residents, seniors, persons with disabilities, residents with limited transportation access, people experiencing homelessness, and communities in flood-prone, coastal, or post-fire areas may face disproportionate risks; and
WHEREAS the demonstrated potential for a very strong or historic-strength El Niño event to cause elevated coastal water levels and high-impact storms in California warrants early, coordinated, and targeted preparedness actions to protect Californians, critical infrastructure, agricultural lands, natural resources, and the State’s economy; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the developing El Niño event; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that the developing El Niño event is likely to cause conditions that, by reason of their magnitude, are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to appropriately respond; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8625(c), I find that local authority is inadequate to cope with the magnitude of the extreme peril posed by the developing El Niño event; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this Proclamation would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the developing El Niño event.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, Government Code section 8625, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist statewide due to the developing 2026–2027 El Niño event.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. All agencies of the state government are to utilize and employ state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services shall coordinate statewide preparedness activities for potential severe weather, flooding, coastal flooding, erosion, mud and debris flows, and related impacts associated with conditions resulting from the El Niño event, including atmospheric rivers and other severe storm systems. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services shall work with local and tribal governments to support emergency planning, resource coordination, and requests for state assistance. To protect their safety, all residents are to obey the direction of emergency officials with regard to this emergency.
B-2
2. As necessary to assist local governments and for the protection of public safety and the environment, state agencies shall enter into contracts to arrange for the procurement of materials, goods, and services necessary to quickly assist with the response to and recovery from the impacts of this emergency. Applicable provisions of the Government Code and the Public Contract Code, including but not limited to travel, advertising, and competitive bidding requirements, are suspended to the extent necessary to address the effects of this emergency.
3. The California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Natural Resources Agency, including boards, departments, and offices within those agencies, are directed to prioritize work to help local agencies prepare for anticipated impacts from the El Niño event. In particular, those state agencies are directed to prioritize permitting, consultation, and technical assistance to support local efforts to prevent or mitigate impacts from anticipated or potential flooding, landslides, and mud and debris flows, including local efforts to expedite levee and other flood management infrastructure repairs, vegetation management, debris removal, sediment management, bridge scour protection, and channel-capacity improvements. State agencies are directed to work with local agencies to issue any necessary permits or other approvals for such efforts as quickly as possible, including by identifying and invoking existing emergency authorities or other pathways for streamlined review.
On or before October 16, 2026, the Secretary for Environmental Protection and the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall submit a joint recommendation to my office as to whether further action or emergency suspensions are necessary to support and expedite this work.
4. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services shall coordinate the State’s preparation for and response to the developing El Niño event, including by working with the Department of Water Resources and other appropriate government agencies to prepare to pre-position personnel, equipment, supplies, commodities, and other resources based on forecast conditions, local needs, and identified risks. In particular, this work shall draw on the Department of Water Resources’ guidance regarding floodrisk-reduction activities.
5. The Department of Water Resources shall take appropriate action to procure, maintain, stage, pre-position, distribute, and replenish flood-fight supplies, equipment (including, but not limited to, sandbags, riprap and other rock materials, plastic sheeting, and pumps), and other materials necessary to support statewide flood preparedness, response, and protective actions in connection with the El Niño event. The Department of Water Resources shall coordinate with appropriate government agencies to identify priority areas for flood-fight material staging and plans to make these materials available where they are needed, when they are needed.
6. The Department of Water Resources, through its Division of Safety of Dams, shall conduct outreach to owners of jurisdictional dams regarding potential severe conditions during the El Niño event and shall reiterate to dam owners their responsibilities to inspect, operate, maintain, repair, and safely manage their dams and appurtenant structures in accordance B-3
with applicable law, permit conditions, emergency action plans, and directives of the Division of Safety of Dams.
7. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, in coordination with the Department of Water Resources, shall conduct outreach to counties, cities, and relevant local agencies that are responsible for levees, floodcontrol facilities, and associated structures that may be vulnerable to impacts of the El Niño event to take appropriate actions to procure, maintain, stage, pre-position, distribute, and replenish flood-fight supplies, commodities, equipment, and materials necessary to support flood preparedness, response, and protective actions.
8. The Department of Water Resources, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, shall conduct outreach and education to advance groundwater recharge projects and to use flood flows to recharge groundwater aquifers under existing law with the goal of reducing flood impacts and strengthening local water supplies.
9. Consistent with Paragraph 3 of this Proclamation, the Coastal Commission is directed to expedite review and action on proposed development by coastal communities to prepare for the impacts of this El Niño event.
Coastal communities are encouraged to submit permit applications, as appropriate, to facilitate timely Coastal Commission review, technical assistance, and other support for El Niño preparations. After an application is received, the Commission shall respond with notification of any incomplete items within five days. After an application is complete, it shall be scheduled for hearing at the next Commission meeting. For emergency permit requests, the Commission shall accept both written and oral requests to its district offices. When necessary to address an urgent need related to this emergency, the Commission shall take action on emergency permit requests as quickly as possible and within twentyfour hours of receipt.
10. The California Department of Transportation and California State Transportation Agency shall identify those state highways, bridges, culverts, drainage facilities, slopes, and other transportation infrastructure most at risk of flooding, erosion, debris flows, rockslides, mudslides, or other significant impacts from severe storms caused by the El Niño event, and transmit to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services a prioritized list of projects to address such risks within 30 days of this Proclamation.
11. The California Department of Transportation shall develop plans to preposition personnel and materials (including directional signage, trafficcontrol devices, road-closure devices, warning signs, delineators, emergency communications equipment, and other resources) at or near locations that may be identified as at risk of severe impacts from the El Niño event. This shall include plans to prepare and pre-position snowremoval, snow-control, and ice-control equipment as appropriate, including snowplows, snow blowers, graders, loaders, chain-control equipment, salt, sand, and other materials necessary to maintain safe travel and restore access on state highways during the El Niño event.
12. The Adjutant General and the California Military Department shall, in coordination with the Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency B-4
Services, identify California National Guard personnel, equipment, and capabilities that may be available to support state and local emergency operations, if activated or tasked, in relation to this El Niño event. Such planning shall include readiness for high-water vehicle operations; aviation operations, including reconnaissance, search and rescue, transport, and heavy-lift support, as appropriate; engineering support; emergency communications; transportation and logistics; evacuation support; flood-fight activities; debris removal and route clearance; commodity distribution; shelter support; and other life-safety and emergency-support missions.
13.California Volunteers, in coordination with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and other appropriate agencies, shall prepare to mobilize volunteers and trained service members, consistent with their training, mission, safety requirements, and applicable law, to support state and local preparedness, response, and recovery activities in connection with the El Niño event.
14. The California Conservation Corps shall prepare to deploy Corpsmembers, consistent with its statutory mission, training, available resources, safety requirements, and applicable law, to support severe weather preparedness and response activities in connection with the El Niño event.
15. The California Energy Commission, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and the State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality control boards are directed, and the California Public Utilities Commission is requested, to coordinate, consistent with their respective authorities, with electrical, natural-gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, transportation, and other critical-service providers to enhance readiness and support timely restoration of essential services following storm impacts.
16. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, in consultation with relevant state agencies, shall expand accessible, multilingual public preparedness communications related to severe weather, flooding, emergency alerts, evacuation readiness, power outages, safe travel, disaster assistance, and household emergency planning.
17.Agencies under my direct authority shall cooperate in their response to this emergency. Other agencies are requested to assist in responding to this emergency, as appropriate.
18. The restrictions set forth in Penal Code section 396, which are automatically triggered upon proclamation of a state of emergency, are suspended, and no such restrictions are imposed, with respect to this El Niño event, at this time.
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this Proclamation.
This Proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have
hereunto set my hand and caused
the Great Seal of the State of
California to be affixed this 21st day
of September 2026.
_________________________
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
_____________________________
SHIRLEY WEBER, PH. D
Secretary of State
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CITY OF LONG BEACH, CA
PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
BY CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 8630 and Long Beach Municipal Code Section 2.69.060 empowers the City Council to proclaim the existence of a local emergency to protect and preserve public welfare when the City of Long Beach (“City”) is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity; and WHEREAS, in the past several years, California has experienced increasingly severe and destructive storms, including atmospheric river events that have caused widespread flooding, mud and debris flows, landslides, high winds, power outages, road and highway closures, evacuation orders, damage to homes and critical infrastructure, and disruption of essential services; and
WHEREAS, climate change is intensifying these weather and hydrologic extremes in California, contributing to increasingly severe swings between drought and flooding, and heightening the risks that extreme storms pose to communities, infrastructure, natural resources, and the economy; and
WHEREAS, California is entering the 2026–2027 wet season amid the ongoing development of a strong and likely historic El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean; and WHEREAS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, in its August 13, 2026, diagnostic report, found that the El Niño event is strengthening, with a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong event during Northern Hemisphere fall and winter of 2026–2027; and WHEREAS, the Climate Prediction Center projected a 69 percent chance that the event will reach historic strength during the October through December 2026 season, defined as a three-month Relative Oceanic Niño Index, and exceeding the strength of all prior El Niño events in the historical record beginning in 1950; and WHEREAS, elevated baseline coastal water levels, combined with high tides, large waves, high surf, and coastal storms, can increase risks of coastal flooding, beach erosion, bluff erosion, transportation disruption, and damage to public and private infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, California has already begun to experience effects attributed to this El Niño event, including unusual precipitation and significant coastal flooding; and WHEREAS, historical experience demonstrates that very strong El Niño events do not produce uniform statewide outcomes, but can be associated with exceptionally wet and destructive winter conditions in California; and
WHEREAS, strong El Niño conditions may increase the potential for repeated periods of heavy rainfall, strong winds, high surf, large waves, coastal flooding, erosion, flash flooding, landslides, debris flow, transportation disruptions, power outages, and other hazards throughout California; and
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PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
BY CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, California’s recent experience with atmospheric rivers, debris flows following wildfires, flash flooding, coastal erosion, inundation, and damage to transportation and flood-control infrastructure demonstrates the importance of procuring and positioning resources, clearing waterways, and taking additional actions to prepare before severe storms arrive; and
WHEREAS, the demonstrated potential for a very strong or historic-strength El Niño event to cause elevated coastal water levels and high-impact storms in California warrants early, coordinated, and targeted preparedness actions to protect Californians, critical infrastructure, agricultural lands, natural resources, and the State’s economy; and WHEREAS, on September 21, 2026, based on the foregoing, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency related to the anticipated impacts of the 2026- 2027 El Niño season and directed State agencies to take early actions to protect vulnerable communities, critical infrastructure, and emergency response capabilities; and WHEREAS, the City of Long Beach is particularly vulnerable to coastal and stormrelated hazards due to its extensive coastline, beaches, waterways, marinas, low-lying areas, and proximity to Alamitos Bay, the Los Angeles River, and other flood-prone areas; and
WHEREAS, the City has already experienced significant coastal impacts and damage to private and public property due to high surf from the recent Hurricane Marie, and it is expected that the El Niño season may being storm conditions similar to, or more severe than, those experienced over the 2026 Labor Day weekend; and WHERAS, elevated baseline coastal water levels, combined with high tides, large waves, high surf, and coastal storms, may increase the risk of coastal flooding, beach and bluff erosion, damage to public and private infrastructure, transportation disruptions, and impacts to businesses, residents, and visitors throughout the City; and WHEREAS, significant rainfall may overwhelm stormwater drainage systems, increase flows and debris within waterways, create localized flooding, damage streets and other public infrastructure, and disrupt the City's ability to provide essential services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Long Beach contains critical infrastructure and facilities that are essential to the health, safety, mobility, and economic well-being of the community, including transportation facilities, water and wastewater infrastructure, electrical infrastructure, public safety facilities, emergency communications systems, the Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, and other public and privately operated critical infrastructure; and
C-2
PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
BY CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, the City has a responsibility to take proactive measures to protect life and property and maintain essential services before, during, and after significant storm events, including preparing and positioning personnel, equipment, supplies, emergency response resources, and other materials in advance of anticipated impacts; and WHEREAS, recent storm event, including, but not limited to, the impacts from Hurricane Marie, have demonstrated the importance of taking early action to clear waterways and drainage systems, protect critical infrastructure, stage emergency equipment and supplies, coordinate response resources, and establish operational capabilities before severe weather arrives; and
WHEREAS, the potential impacts of the 2026–2027 El Niño and winter storm season may exceed the City's normal day-to-day operational capabilities and may require extraordinary preparedness measures, expedited procurement, additional personnel and contractual resources, and enhanced coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, regional agencies, Los Angeles County, the State of California, federal agencies, utility providers, transportation agencies, and other public and private partners; and WHEREAS, residents and communities that are vulnerable to flooding, coastal hazards, power outages, transportation disruptions, or interruptions to essential services may experience disproportionate impacts from severe winter weather, including seniors, persons with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, residents with limited transportation access, and individuals and households with limited resources; and WHEREAS, the City has initiated and continues to undertake preparedness activities for the 2026–2027 El Niño and winter storm season, including enhanced interdepartmental coordination, weather monitoring, infrastructure preparedness, resource identification, emergency communications planning, and coordination with local, regional, and State partners; and
WHEREAS, early preparation and pre-positioning of resources will enhance the City's ability to protect life and property, maintain essential services, mitigate storm-related impacts, and rapidly respond to changing conditions; and WHEREAS, the ability to rapidly procure equipment, supplies, materials, services, and other resources; enter into agreements and contracts; mobilize personnel; and coordinate with other governmental and private entities is necessary to ensure the City is adequately prepared to respond to the potential impacts of the 2026–2027 El Niño and winter storm season; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to working collaboratively with local, regional, county, State, federal, nonprofit, utility, transportation, and private-sector partners to identify risks, share information, coordinate resources, and implement measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the 2026–2027 El Niño and winter storm season; and C-3
PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
BY CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, the threatened impacts associated with the 2026–2027 El Niño and winter storm season constitute conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City of Long Beach and that these conditions may be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City and may require extraordinary measures and the coordinated assistance and resources of other governmental jurisdictions and agencies; and
WHEREAS, immediate and proactive preparedness actions are necessary to reduce the potential impacts of severe weather, protect life and property, preserve critical infrastructure and essential services, and enhance the City's ability to respond effectively to emergency conditions; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 8630 empowers the “governing body of a city, county, or city and county, or . . . an official designated by ordinance” to proclaim a local emergency due to the existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of the City of Long Beach caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, drought, sudden and severe energy shortage, plant or animal infestation or disease, or other conditions which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager of the City of Long Beach (“City Manager”) as the Director of Civil Defense may proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when the City is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity pursuant to Chapter 2.69 of the Long Beach Municipal Code; and
WHERAS, Chapter 2.69 of the Long Beach Municipal Code further provides that any emergency declared by the Director of Civil Defense will not remain in effect for more than seven (7) days, unless the City Council ratifies the existence of the local emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED that a local emergency exists and is threatened to continue throughout the City of Long Beach as a result of the impacts of Hurricane Marie and the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event and winter storm season; and
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that during the existence of this local emergency, the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of the City shall be those prescribed by State law, the Long Beach Municipal Code, including Chapters 2.69 and 2.85, applicable City resolutions, policies, and emergency plans; and BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that all City departments and agencies are authorized and directed to take such actions, measures, and steps as may be necessary and appropriate to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the C-4
PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
BY CITY MANAGER
potential impacts of the 2026–2027 El Niño event and winter storm season, consistent with applicable law and City policies; and
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that City departments are directed to coordinate with appropriate local, regional, County, State, federal, nonprofit, utility, transportation, and private-sector partners to identify and obtain resources, coordinate preparedness and mitigation activities, share information, and support the protection of life, property, critical infrastructure, and essential City services; and BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that City departments shall take all appropriate actions to identify, procure, stage, and pre-position equipment, supplies, materials, services, personnel, and other resources necessary to prepare for and respond to the potential impacts of the developing 2026–2027 El Niño event and winter storm season, consistent with the emergency purchasing and contracting authorities established by applicable law and the Long Beach Municipal Code; and BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that the City Manager, in the capacity of Director of Civil Defense/Director of Emergency Services, and other authorized City officials shall have and may exercise the emergency powers provided by State law and the Long Beach Municipal Code to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community and to facilitate the City's preparedness for and response to the threatened emergency; and
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that the City shall continue to monitor weather, hydrologic, coastal, and other conditions and shall adjust preparedness and operational measures as conditions warrant; and
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED, that this proclamation shall remain in effect until terminated by the City Council at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant, subject to the review requirements of applicable State law and the Long Beach Municipal Code.
Dated:09/21/2026 By:
Tom Modica, City Manager
City of Long Beach
C-5
D-1
PROCLAMATION OF EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY FOR THE 2026-2027
EL NINO EVENT BY THE CHAIR OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WHEREAS, Chapter 2.68 of the Los Angeles County Code provides that the Chair of the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors (Chair) may proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the Board of Supervisors (Board) is not in session pursuant to Government Code sections 8630 and 8558(c); and
WHEREAS, a "local emergency," is defined in Government Code section 8558(c)(1 ), in pertinent part, as follows: "'[l]ocal emergency' means the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a county ... caused by conditions such as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, drought, cyberterrorism, sudden and severe energy shortage, deenergization event ... plant or animal infestation or disease ... or an earthquake, or other conditions ... which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of that political subdivision and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat .... "; and WHEREAS, as a result of the 2026-2027 El Nino Event, the County of Los Angeles (County) is overwhelmingly likely to be impacted by a historic strength El Nino event including atmospheric rivers, high winds, substantial precipitation, elevated coastal baseline water levels, high tides, large waves, high surf, coastal storms, coastal flooding, erosion, closure and damage to highways and roads, evacuation orders and warnings in areas impacted by burn scars, significant debris flows, river and urban flooding, land movement incidents, and widespread power outages. Such conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the resources of the County. Coordination, collaboration, and the combined forces of other jurisdictions are imperatively needed to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from the 2026-2027 El Nino Event; and WHEREAS, as of September 21, 2026, the Governor of the State of California (State) has proclaimed a state of emergency statewide due to the developing 2026-2027 El Nino event; and
WHEREAS, low-income communities, farmworker families, rural residents, seniors, persons with disabilities, access and function needs, residents with limited transportation access, people experiencing homelessness, and communities in flood-prone, coastal, or post-fire areas may face disproportionate risks; and
WHEREAS, as of September 23, 2026, there exists conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property on the basis of the 2026-2027 El Nino Event, which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the County, and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to prepare for and combat; and
HOA.106134173.1
D-2
WHEREAS, these conditions warrant and necessitate that the County proclaim the existence of a local emergency for the 2026-2027 El Nino Event.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board finds that conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons exist on the basis of the 2026-2027 El Nino Event within the meaning of Government Code section 8558(c)(1 ), and such conditions are or will likely be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the County and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to prepare for and combat; and IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND PROCLAIMED by the Board that a local emergency exists for the 2026-2027 El Nino Event; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND PROCLAIMED that the Board shall review the need for continuing the local emergency as required by State and local law until it terminates the local emergency and shall terminate this local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND PROCLAIMED that, during the existence of said local emergency, the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of the County shall be those prescribed by State law, by ordinances, and resolutions of the County; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND PROCLAIMED that a copy of this proclamation be foiwarded to the Director of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Director) requesting that the Director find it acceptable in accordance with State law; that the Governor of the State waive regulations that may hinder preparedness, response and recovery efforts; and that the State expedite access to State and federal resources and any other appropriate preparedness programs.
Date: September 23, 2026
ifJ!tous;JM
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
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