Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a statewide state of emergency on September 21, 2026, and the reason is simple: forecasters think this winter's El Niño could be the strongest one ever recorded in California. The proclamation does not mean disaster conditions exist right now. It clears the way for state agencies to pre-position supplies, speed up permits, and get ready before storms actually hit.

Federal forecasters put the odds at greater than 90% that El Niño becomes very strong this winter, with a 75% chance it reaches historic strength, according to Governor Newsom's own proclamation announcement. That is a forecast, not a guarantee of record rainfall in every corner of the state.

California State of Emergency Declared Ahead of El Niño 2026

For residents, road-trippers, and business travelers alike, this order changes very little about daily life today. It matters a great deal for how fast California can move once storms start stacking up along the coast and in the mountains.

What the Statewide Proclamation Changes

The proclamation lets state agencies skip some of the normal red tape so they can stage equipment and staff before storms arrive, rather than scrambling once flooding starts. It covers everything from road crews to the National Guard.

Why California Issued an Emergency Declaration Before Winter

Newsom acted early because the warning signs were already strong enough to justify it. The El Niño event developing in the Pacific Ocean is “already breaking records,” and forecasters expect it to keep strengthening, according to the governor's proclamation.

“We are not waiting for this season's storms to be on our doorstep,” said Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. Her agency is coordinating the statewide response, bringing state and local partners together before impacts occur rather than after.

Which State Agencies and Resources Are Being Mobilized

Several agencies now have marching orders. The Department of Water Resources will stage flood-fighting supplies such as sandbags and pumps, while Caltrans prepares traffic-control, road-closure, and snow-removal equipment along highways most at risk.

The California National Guard is on standby to support flood response, search-and-rescue, engineering, and logistics missions if conditions worsen. First responders across the state gain access to more equipment and coordinated planning through Cal OES, and state environmental agencies will help protect critical infrastructure like water systems and power grids.

How Faster Permitting and Procurement Can Help Communities

Cutting red tape sounds bureaucratic, but it has a direct effect on the ground. Fast-tracked permitting means local governments can start flood-protection projects, like reinforcing levees or clearing debris basins, without waiting months for approval.

California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said the state is “cutting red tape and fast-tracking the flood-protection and broader preparedness work communities need now.” That speed matters when storm timing is unpredictable and recovery efforts often depend on work finished before the first major system arrives.

How Strong Could El Niño Be in 2026?

This El Niño has a real chance of becoming the strongest on record, but that strength does not automatically translate into record flooding everywhere in California. The Pacific Ocean is unusually warm right now, and that warmth is the engine behind the entire forecast.

What a Very Strong or Historic El Niño Forecast Means

El Niño happens when warm water in the eastern Pacific Ocean shifts global weather patterns, often steering more storms toward California. The current event already broke the highest temperature ever recorded for the phenomenon, months before its typical peak..

A greater than 90% chance of a very strong event and a 75% chance of historic strength puts this El Niño in rare company. California has only seen a handful of El Niño-driven emergency declarations before, including one in 1983 and another that expanded to 43 counties in 1998.

Why a Strong El Niño Does Not Guarantee Record Rain Everywhere

A strong El Niño raises the odds of a wet winter without locking in the outcome. Seasonal models lean toward wetter-than-normal conditions, but that does not guarantee record rain or snow in any specific California region.

Southern California typically sees a higher chance of above-average precipitation during El Niño winters, since storms often track farther south than usual. Northern California can still see significant weather, but the pattern is less predictable there.

How Climate Change Can Intensify Weather Extremes

Climate change appears to be making El Niño stronger, not just more frequent. A study published in the journal Science found El Niño events are now more than 36% stronger than before the industrial era, with that trend speeding up over the last 40 years.

That extra intensity shows up as heavier bursts of rain, higher storm surges, and faster-changing winter weather conditions than past El Niño years produced.

Where the Greatest Weather Risks May Develop

The biggest dangers this winter cluster around three things: water on roads, unstable slopes, and the Southern California coast. Each poses a different kind of threat, and knowing which applies to your area helps you prepare smarter.

Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Debris Flows

Repeated rounds of heavy rain can overwhelm storm drains and rivers, leading to flooding in low-lying neighborhoods. Areas downhill from recent wildfire burn scars face a sharper risk of landslides and debris flows, since burned soil cannot absorb water the way healthy vegetation can.

Rockslides are also a concern on mountain highways and canyon roads after saturated slopes give way. Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs warned that “it takes only a small amount of water to disable a car, and as little as 12 inches of moving water can carry many vehicles away.”

Coastal Flooding, Erosion, and Kelvin Waves in Southern California

Southern California's coastline, including Orange County, faces added risk from a phenomenon called Kelvin waves, pulses of warmer water that raise sea levels temporarily. These waves have already contributed to coastal flooding and erosion this year, and another is expected later this fall.

When Kelvin waves coincide with king tides, naturally higher tides expected in November and December, the combination can worsen coastal damage and storm surge. Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources pointed to “damaging swells” already hitting the coast and flagged the upcoming king tides as a period to watch closely.

Strong Winds, Mountain Snow, and Power Outages

Winter storms this season are expected to bring strong winds capable of downing trees and power lines, leading to power outages that can last for days in hard-hit areas. Mountain regions should prepare for heavy snow that can close roads and mountain passes with little warning.

Snow-removal equipment staged along vulnerable highways should help crews reopen routes faster, but travelers should still expect delays during active storms.

What Travelers Should Know Before Visiting California

Trips to California this winter are still very much on the table, but flexibility matters more than usual. Storms tied to this El Niño season can close roads, disrupt beach access, and change plans on short notice, especially in Southern California and mountain areas.

Planning for Coastal Closures and High-Surf Impacts

Coastal trips need a backup plan. High surf and coastal erosion have already affected parts of Southern California this year, and similar impacts could return during storms or king tides.

Beaches, piers, and coastal parking areas sometimes close temporarily when surf and flooding risks rise. Checking local conditions the morning of a coastal drive, rather than days in advance, gives a much more accurate picture.

Preparing for Mountain Roads, Snow, and Detours

Winter storms can bring sudden snow to mountain routes, and Caltrans crews will be working to keep highways clear with pre-staged snow-removal equipment. Chain requirements can appear with little notice during active storms, so carrying tire chains is a smart habit for anyone driving through the Sierra Nevada or other mountain corridors this season.

Building extra time into mountain travel plans helps absorb unexpected detours.

How to Track Alerts and Change Plans Safely

Signing up for local emergency alerts before a trip gives travelers real-time notice of road closures, evacuation orders, and severe weather. Cal OES is expanding multilingual public preparedness communications this winter, covering flooding, power outages, and evacuation readiness.

Never drive through a flooded road. Water can hide washed-out pavement, and turning around is always the safer move.

How Residents Can Prepare Before Storms Arrive

Getting ready now, before the first major storm arrives, gives residents far more control than scrambling once flooding starts. The state's own guidance centers on three areas: flood readiness, home protection, and knowing when to act on alerts.

Build a Flood and Power-Outage Readiness Plan

Start by checking whether your home sits in a flood-prone area or below a recent burn scar. Keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies for at least several days, including medications, food, water, and anything pets need.

Homeowners insurance does not typically cover flood damage on its own, and flood insurance policies can take up to 30 days to take effect. Checking coverage now, rather than after a storm forecast appears, avoids a costly gap.

Protect Homes Near Slopes, Waterways, and the Coast

Clearing gutters, downspouts, and storm drains before heavy rain arrives reduces the chance of water backing up against your home. Sandbags placed early around doors and low points can redirect water away from entrances.

Homes near hillsides, canyons, or burn areas face elevated debris flow risk, and Los Angeles County residents can call Public Works at 1-800-933-0930 to speak with an engineer about mudflow risk.

Know When to Follow Evacuation and Emergency Alerts

Sign up for local alerts before storms arrive, not during one. Having an evacuation plan ready, including a route and a destination, means less panic if conditions change quickly.

Critical infrastructure like power and water systems can be affected during major storms, so a battery-powered radio and backup phone charging are worth keeping on hand alongside standard emergency supplies.

How This Order Differs From Existing Local Emergencies

The statewide El Niño proclamation is separate from several other emergency declarations Newsom signed the same day, and mixing the two up creates confusion about what is actually happening where. The El Niño order is about preparation. The other declarations are about recovery from storms and damage that already happened.

Counties Addressing Earlier Storm Damage

Newsom also proclaimed states of emergency to support recovery efforts in Glenn, Humboldt, Kern, Mendocino, and Santa Barbara counties, tied to three separate severe weather events that already caused significant storm damage. These orders help those counties access resources for repairs and rebuilding, not future storm prep.

Orange County has also issued its own local declaration tied to earlier coastal flooding and Hurricane Marie's impacts this year, separate from the statewide action.

Lake County's Separate Sewage Spill Emergency

Lake County received its own emergency proclamation for a major sewage spill that caused significant damage, unrelated to El Niño or winter storms entirely. It is a reminder that the state handles multiple emergencies at once, each with its own cause and its own recovery efforts.

Why Local Declarations May Continue Alongside State Action

Local governments can still issue their own emergency declarations even while the statewide El Niño proclamation is active. Counties hit hardest by a specific storm, coastal damage event, or infrastructure failure may need targeted local action that the statewide order does not cover.

Expect more county-level declarations if storms cause serious damage in specific areas this winter, layered on top of the broader state preparation already underway.