California Declares State of Emergency Due to El Niño

The State of California and Governor Gavin Newsom have officially declared a state of emergency ahead of the state’s 2026-27 El Niño winter. The declaration comes as El Niño continues to strengthen in the Pacific Ocean, bringing unusually warm temperatures that could greatly affect weather patterns throughout California and the rest of the United States over the next several months. Now, under a declared state of emergency, California is mobilizing state resources ahead of potential winter storms and other impacts.

According to the Government of California, preparations include directing state agencies to begin protecting vulnerable communities, preparing roads and critical infrastructure, staging emergency supplies, and helping local partners reduce flood, landslide, and coastal risks. 

“California is strongest when we look out for one another,” Newsom said in the official report. “That is what this action is about. Giving communities the support they need, giving first responders the tools to do their jobs, and giving families the confidence that their state is ready. We are preparing for this El Niño early because every Californian deserves to be safe in their home, connected to their community, and protected when severe weather comes.”

• Related: El Niño 2026-27 Ski Forecast September Update: Colorado Gets an Early-Season Upgrade and California Holds Its Ground

For those unfamiliar, El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific. Usually, the tropical western Pacific is warmer than the tropical eastern Pacific. In El Niño, however, this pattern reverses, and the eastern Pacific warms significantly. This changes circulation and precipitation patterns around the world. In California, El Niño can bring wetter, more frequent, and more intense winter storms.

In just the past month, the probability of a historically unprecedented El Niño, one that would exceed every El Niño since 1950, has climbed from 69% to 75%. The odds of at least a very strong event remain greater than 90%. As the Government of California puts it, “the Pacific is unusually warm, and that warmth can shift storm tracks and load the atmosphere with more energy over the months ahead.”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California is the favored wet region per its September update. This is positive news for skiers. As a favored wet region, California currently has a greater than 50% probability of above-normal precipitation, which could dump snow in the Mammoth, Tahoe, and greater Sierra Nevada regions.

However, looking away from ski conditions, a strong El Niño with high precipitation could bring incredible amounts of rainfall, causing flooding, landslides, and other dangerous situations for Californians. Declaring a state of emergency is an active move versus a reactive one, giving state and local agencies time to prepare for these potentially dangerous situations.

“For California, that can mean repeated rounds of heavy rain, strong winds, mountain snow, flooding, landslides, debris flows, large waves, and coastal flooding, especially when storms hit during very high tides. For families, that can mean roads closed by flooding or rockslides, power outages, neighborhoods cut off, damage to homes and businesses, and fast-changing conditions that leave little time to react.”

“Among the actions ordered, the emergency proclamation directs state agencies to lead the state’s flood-risk-reduction efforts, stage flood-fighting supplies such as sandbags and pumps, and pre-position other critical equipment,” the declaration writes. “Caltrans will stage traffic-control, road-closure, and snow-removal equipment along the highways most at risk. The proclamation also prepares the California National Guard to support flood response, search-and-rescue, engineering, and logistics missions when needed. State environmental and natural resources agencies will support local efforts to prepare for flooding, landslides, and debris flows, by fast-tracking permitting and identifying other ways to cut red tape.”

• Related: The 2026-27 El Niño Ski Season Could Be the Biggest in Decades

So far, California is the only state to have declared a state of emergency ahead of the upcoming El Niño winter. Given the state’s vulnerability to El Niño and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, it is not surprising.

The declaration is precautionary as of now. But if this winter’s storms are as strong as scientists expect them to be, the decision could potentially save the lives of many Californians.

“We are not waiting for this season’s storms to be on our doorstep,” California Office of Emergency Services Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs said. “Cal OES is leading California’s statewide efforts by bringing state and local partners together, conducting advance planning efforts, and identifying potential needs before impacts occur. By planning early and coordinating resources ahead of El Niño, we are working to ensure communities and first responders have the personnel, equipment, and support they need to prepare for severe weather, respond quickly when conditions change, and protect lives and property across California.”

Experts are continuing to monitor El Niño as the winter approaches. Fall is officially here, and it is only a matter of weeks until the full effects of El Niño begin to arrive. With California now in a state of emergency, it aims to prepare its communities and agencies for action.

The State of California urges its residents to prepare by: 

• Sign up for alerts. Get local emergency alerts here and follow trusted sources.
• Know your flood risk. Find out whether your home or workplace is in a flood-prone area or downslope of an area recently affected by wildfire, where heavy rain can increase the risk of flooding, debris flows, and mudslides.
• Stay informed. Pay attention to weather forecasts and sign up for emergency alerts from your city or county. Conditions can change quickly during major storms, so follow instructions from local emergency officials.
• Have an evacuation plan. Know where you would go and how you would get there if you need to leave quickly. Keep an emergency kit ready, including plans, medications, and supplies for pets and other animals.
• Never drive through floodwater. Water on flooded roads can be deeper and faster-moving than it appears, and roadways may be damaged or washed out beneath the water. Turn around and find another route.