DATE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT
FROM: SAMUEL KLEMEK, FIRE CHIEF
TITLE: 2026-27 EL NIÑO AND FLOOD READINESS UPDATE
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
This report presents information to the City Council regarding the anticipated upcoming winter storm season outlook and the City’s ongoing preparations and preparedness; and motion to approve a proclamation establishing the threatened existence of a local emergency. (Salinas Municipal Code Section 11A-6.A(1)) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This administrative report provides the City Council with an update on preparations for the 2026-27 El Niño season and the potential for flooding, severe storms, power outages, transportation disruptions, and related community impacts. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong event during fall and winter 2026-27, and a 75 percent chance of historic strength during October 2026 through March 2027. City departments are coordinating drainage and infrastructure work, emergency operations, evacuation and shelter planning, workforce continuity, airport readiness, and multilingual public information. The seasonal outlook increases the need for early preparation but does not predict the timing or severity of individual storms in Salinas. According to NOAA Monterey Bay Area meteorologists, effects of the El Niño conditions are expected to peak for our region January through March 2027.
Additionally, on September 21, 2026, the State of California issued a state-wide “state of emergency” declaration in anticipation of the forecasted El Nino season. Similarly, it is recommended that the City Council consider and approve a proclamation establishing the existence of a local emergency.
BACKGROUND:
Salinas has significant exposure to flooding and severe winter weather. The 2021 Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies approximately 15,415 Salinas residents, $723 million in residential and nonresidential property, and 21 miles of roadway within the one-percent annual-chance floodplain. Known areas of concern include Carr Lake, the Reclamation Ditch, Gabilan Creek, Natividad Creek, Alisal Creek, and portions of Kern, Market, Merced, and Williams roads.
Local history has demonstrated the potential consequences of similar natural weather phenomena. Two major storms in 1995 displaced approximately 11,000 Monterey County residents and caused an estimated $230 million in building, infrastructure, and agricultural losses. Flooding in 1997 affected Carr Lake, local creeks, and the Kern Street mobile home park. The 1998 storms damaged approximately 29,000 acres and caused an estimated $45 million in building and agricultural losses. More recently, six atmospheric-river systems from December 26, 2022, through January 17, 2023, produced widespread roadway and river flooding, damaging winds, high surf, and landslides across the Monterey Bay region.
Satellite observations during 2026 show elevated sea-surface height extending across the equatorial Pacific toward South America, a physical signal associated with warmer upper-ocean water. NOAA has issued an El Niño Advisory and expects the event to persist through spring 2027. Seasonal outlooks inform preparedness; operational decisions will continue to rely on National Weather Service briefings, forecast rainfall, river and creek observations, drainage performance, road conditions, and the availability of City resources.
Citywide Readiness Priorities
• Drainage and infrastructure. Inspect priority drainage systems and confirm pumps, generators, barricades, fuel, backup power, contractors, and emergency purchasing procedures. • Road closures, evacuation, and shelter. Preplan closures, detours, rescue access, transportation assistance, shelter support, security, reentry, and assistance for residents with access and functional needs. • Emergency operations and staffing. Confirm EOC activation triggers, department assignments, contact lists, duty coverage, mutual aid, succession, continuity procedures, and cost documentation. • Public information. Prepare coordinated English and Spanish messages for storms, flooding, road closures, evacuations, shelters, power outages, sandbag locations, and recovery information.
Department Preparations
• Fire Department. Reviewing EOC and staffing assignments; confirming swift water rescue equipment and refresher training, hazardous-materials, communications, and mutual-aid readiness; mapping flood-prone response routes; and coordinating a Citywide readiness exercise. • Police Department. Reviewing evacuation zones, alternate routes, traffic-control points, neighborhood access control, high-water vehicle, interoperable communications, welfare checks, missing-person procedures, and staffing for extended incidents. • Public Works. Inspecting and clearing priority storm drains, creeks, ditches, and culverts as State and Federal permitting are obtained, which is underway; testing pumps and field equipment; preplanning closures and detours; staging sandbags and sand for public use; and coordinating contractors, materials, fuel, damage reporting, and restoration. • Administration. Confirming emergency authorities, continuity of government, EOC participation, procurement and fiscal authorities, policy briefings, and executive decisions on unresolved resource needs. • Library and Community Services. Reviewing potential shelter, warming-center, and community-support locations; confirming accessibility, staffing, supplies, security, and facility procedures; and coordinating community partners and resident assistance. • Salinas Municipal Airport. Inspecting airfield drainage, low areas, pumps, generators, lighting, and backup systems; coordinating weather notifications; and planning for debris, standing water, access restrictions, facility damage, and continuity of airport operations. • Human Resources. Confirming employee notification and accountability, essential staffing, alternate assignments, overtime and recall processes, remote-work and closure guidance, payroll continuity, EOC rosters, succession, and post-incident employee support. • Public Information Officer. Providing preparedness messages over the next several months; preparing bilingual templates; coordinating alerts, websites, social media, news media, schools, employers, libraries, and community organizations; and monitoring questions and misinformation.
Readiness Escalation
Seasonal readiness work will continue before the first major storm. When a credible five- to seven-day heavy-rain signal develops, departments will begin enhanced coordination, stage equipment, verify field patrols and staffing, brief the City Council, and begin public updates. Watches, warnings, or locally observed thresholds may prompt the appropriate EOC activation, resource deployment, road closures, shelter support, and protective-action messaging. Recovery operations will include damage assessment, continued closures where necessary, support for displaced residents, cost documentation, and restoration updates.
Community Preparedness and Communication
Starting in September, and throughout the winter storm season, public outreach will emphasize actions residents can complete before storms are forecast. Residents should clean gutters and downspouts; repair roof leaks; inspect windows, doors, private drains, swales, ditches, culverts, and sump pumps; trim hazardous limbs; secure outdoor items; plan for sandbags or temporary barriers; photograph property; and review insurance coverage. Households should prepare go bags, medications, medical equipment, pet supplies, identification, important documents, water, shelf-stable food, flashlights, batteries, radios, chargers, power banks, cash, communication plans, evacuation routes, and meeting locations. Residents should register for official alerts, keep vehicles fueled or charged, and check on vulnerable neighbors.
The City will repeatedly remind residents never to enter flooded roads or moving water, to follow evacuation and closure instructions, and to obtain information from verified City and County sources. Generators must be operated outdoors and away from doors and windows, and outdoor cooking equipment must never be used indoors. Public messages will identify what happened, who is affected, what residents should do, and when the next update will be provided. Backup communication methods and community partner networks will support information delivery when power, cellular service, or internet access is disrupted.
In addition, work is underway to schedule a Community Preparedness Event that would focus on providing key information, tips, and tools from key stakeholders like the County, Red Cross, City, State, Non-profit agencies, etc.
Declaration of Local State of Emergency
It is recommended that a Local State of Emergency be declared for the City, similar to Proclamation of a State of Emergency issued by Governor Newsom on September 21, 2026 in anticipation of the developing 2026-2027 El Niño. The attached Proclamation lists the necessary authorities and support for the declaration of local emergency.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that receiving this informational report is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. The report does not authorize a project, commit the City to a course of action, or cause a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Any subsequent discretionary project resulting from future preparedness or infrastructure actions will be evaluated separately for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No. This informational report does not involve a contract, license, permit, franchise, or other entitlement for use.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This update supports the City Council priorities of public safety, reliable infrastructure, effective government, and timely communication with the community. Early coordination and public education strengthen the City’s ability to maintain essential services, protect residents, and recover from storm-related impacts.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Fire Department is coordinating this readiness update with the Police Department, Public Works Department, Administration, City Attorney, Library and Community Services Department, Salinas Municipal Airport, Human Resources Department, and the Public Information Officer. Coordination also includes Monterey County emergency management and flood-control partners, the National Weather Service, utilities, schools, healthcare providers, transit agencies, community organizations, and mutual-aid partners. Department activities will be integrated through the Emergency Operations Center when activation thresholds are met.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with receiving this informational report, and no appropriation is requested. Departments will use existing appropriations for routine seasonal preparation to the extent available. Significant storms may require contingency or emergency funding for advance preparations, staffing, emergency contracts, response costs, shelter support, and repair of damaged infrastructure; any required budget action will be presented under the applicable emergency and fiscal authorities.
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ATTACHMENTS:
El Niño and Flood Readiness City Council Presentation
Proclamation Establishing the Threatened Existence of a Local Emergency Proclamation of a State of Emergency (September 21, 2026; Governor Newsom) Page | 1
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CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT