California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the upcoming El Niño weather pattern, which is expected to bring powerful and damaging storms to the region. The declaration, made on Monday, September 21, 2026, aims to provide communities with the necessary support and resources to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño. Newsom stated that the 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.
The El Niño weather pattern is expected to bring higher-than-usual tides that could trigger coastal flooding, and forecasters warn that the coming months could be particularly challenging for the region. The declaration allows state agencies to access resources and pre-position flood-fighting supplies, such as sandbags and pumps. Additionally, the proclamation prepares the California National Guard to support flood response, search-and-rescue, engineering, and logistics missions when needed.
El Niño is a natural cycle in the tropical Pacific, known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which occurs every two to seven years. During El Niño, east-to-west trade winds ease, allowing warm water to slide back east and rise to the surface. This warming of the ocean surface temperatures can cause more storms and clouds over the region, leading to ripple effects throughout the global atmosphere.
The impacts of El Niño can be exacerbated by human-caused climate change, which can lead to more extreme weather events. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, making El Niño-linked rains more intense. This year's El Niño has a 69% chance of becoming the strongest on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
California's coastline has already been affected by storms that have damaged or destroyed homes, and coastal erosion forced the cancellation of a music festival in Santa Monica. The state's emergency declaration aims to mitigate the potential impacts of El Niño and ensure that communities are prepared for the challenges ahead.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned that El Niño could unleash extreme weather across the globe, even though it is not expected to peak until October-December. The weather pattern can cause hotter and drier conditions in some places, and cooler and wetter conditions in others.
Governor Newsom's emergency declaration is a proactive measure to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño. The state is taking steps to ensure that communities are safe and that first responders have the necessary tools to respond to emergencies.
Key points
- California Governor Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency ahead of El Niño.
- El Niño is expected to bring powerful and damaging storms to the region.
- The declaration allows state agencies to access resources and pre-position flood-fighting supplies.
