Los Angeles County declared a local emergency Wednesday, Sept. 23, to prepare for El Niño storms forecast to hit the South Bay coast during the 2026-27 winter season.
The declaration, issued by Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda Solis, is separate from Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide emergency proclamation on Sept. 21. As we reported that day, Newsom's order directs state agencies to stage flood-fighting equipment and fast-tracks permitting for storm-protection work. The county action adds local coordination among departments including the L.A. County Fire Department, Sheriff's Department, Department of Homeless Services and Housing, and Department of Aging and Disabilities.
"El Niño could bring heavier rainfall and increase the risk of flooding, landslides and debris flows across Los Angeles County, and we cannot wait for the first storm to act," Solis said in a statement, as reported by the Daily Breeze.
Climatologists say models show a 90% chance of a very strong El Niño during the 2026-27 season, the Daily News reported. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center put the odds even higher at 98% for the three-month period ending in December 2026.
Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn represents the South Bay cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo. No statement from Hahn's office on the county declaration was available as of Thursday, Sept. 24.
Two previous very strong El Niño years, 1982-83 and 1997-98, more than doubled the usual yearly rainfall in parts of Los Angeles County. In February 1998, 17 storm-related deaths occurred statewide from rainstorms, mudslides, floods and fallen trees.
What the county is doing
County departments are already preparing.
The L.A. County Department of Public Works has been clearing mud and debris from catch basins and is setting up sandbag distribution sites. Residents can find locations at the county's sandbag dashboard at pw.lacounty.gov/dsg/sandbags/.
The Fire Department and Sheriff's Department are compiling lists of emergency shelters and planning evacuations. County teams are also conducting outreach to residents who may need extra help during severe weather, including people experiencing homelessness, older adults and people with disabilities.
Kevin McGowan, director of the county's Office of Emergency Management, has advised all residents to purchase flood insurance.
Coastal threats already building
The South Bay coast faces risks beyond the winter storm season. A "coastally trapped Kelvin wave" moving north along Mexico's coast could reach the Los Angeles area in early October and raise sea levels by 6 to 12 inches, Patch reported.
That rise coincides with the peak of an 18-year high-tide cycle that will push King Tides higher than usual, according to researcher Patrick Barnard of the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience at UC Santa Cruz. Barnard told CNN the expected coastal water level increase could threaten an additional 170,000 people and $60 billion in property compared to a non-Super El Niño year.
Hurricane Polo, a Category 5 storm as of Tuesday, Sept. 22, was also driving elevated surf toward Southern California. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Los Angeles forecast strong rip currents at local beaches through the week of Sept. 28, with high surf and high tides expected to coincide Monday, Sept. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at alert.lacounty.gov and call 2-1-1 for assistance.
