San Diego declares a local emergency ahead of a potentially historic El Niño

Mayor Todd Gloria proclaimed a local emergency on Friday, Oct. 2, to get the City of San Diego ready for what forecasters warn could be an exceptionally strong El Niño winter. The city says the proclamation lets it use emergency powers under state and local law and helps it seek state and federal aid. It lasts seven days unless the City Council ratifies it, which is expected at the council’s Tuesday meeting.

City crews have cleared more than 11 miles of storm channels and are distributing sandbags, building berms along beaches and Mission Bay, and reviewing evacuation routes.

The county issued its own emergency proclamation on Sept. 30 and opened an El Niño information hub on AlertSanDiego.org with alerts, sandbag locations and hazard maps. “Early action saves lives and property,” Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton said. The county pointed to the January 2024 floods that devastated Southcrest, Shelltown and Mountain View.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency on Sept. 21, directing agencies to stage sandbags, pumps and equipment and bringing in the California National Guard. Forecasters put the odds of a very strong El Niño above 90%, with a 75% chance it reaches historic strength.