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California declares statewide emergency ahead of epic El Niño storms
Los Angeles Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Governor Newsom has declared a statewide emergency in California in anticipation of severe El Niño-driven storms expected to cause coastal flooding and high waves this winter.
- The emergency proclamation emphasizes the need for early, coordinated preparedness to protect residents, infrastructure, agriculture, natural resources, and the economy.
- Multiple counties, including Santa Barbara, Orange, and San Diego, have already declared local emergencies due to recent storm damage, coastal erosion, and flooding.
- Officials warn that this El Niño event is likely to be the strongest since 1950, with a 75% chance of surpassing previous events and a 98% chance of being very strong through December.
- The state is activating emergency operations centers and mobilizing resources to support affected communities and mitigate further damage from anticipated storms.
