Date:
November 17, 2026 05
To: Board of Supervisors
Title
Local Emergency Review: Review of El Niño Emergency Proclamation and Anticipated Impacts (Districts: All)
End
Overview
On September 30, 2026, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the County of San Diego (County), as Director of Emergency Services, issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency due to potential severe weather and impacts associated with this season’s upcoming El Niño weather event. Weather authorities have predicted that there is a high chance that this season's El Niño will exceed the strength of previous El Niño events dating back to 1950. This season’s El Niño is expected to persist through May 2027, with winter months anticipated to experience above-average rainfall, more frequent and intense storms, and increased flooding and landslide risk. The Proclamation was issued pursuant to San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances sections 31.101 et seq. and California Government Code Section 8630. Government Code section 8630(c) requires local governing bodies to review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the local emergency is terminated.
On October 6, 2026 (10), the County Board of Supervisors (Board) ratified the Proclamation of Local Emergency and directed the CAO to continue reviewing the need for the county-wide local emergency pursuant to Government Code section 8630 to determine whether continuation or termination is warranted and directed the Office of Emergency Services to continue monitoring El Niño conditions and coordinating preparedness efforts with regional partners.
The continued local emergency proclamation also supports alignment with the State of California’s emergency response efforts following Governor Gavin Newsom’s September 21, 2026, statewide emergency declaration for El Niño preparedness. This alignment strengthens coordination between state and local agencies, supports the mobilization of resources, and ...
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