California Declares State of Emergency Ahead of El Niño

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as the United States West Coast prepares for what forecasters expect to be a damaging El Niño weather pattern.

Forecasts indicate that the coming months could bring powerful storms to the region, along with higher-than-usual tides that could increase the risk of coastal flooding.

Newsom on Monday said the declaration was intended to allow the state to prepare for potential problems before they occur and ensure communities and emergency responders have the resources they need.

He said the move would support local communities, equip first responders and reassure families that the state was prepared for severe weather.

“This 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,” he said.

“We are preparing for this El Niño early because every Californian deserves to be safe in their home, connected to their community, and protected when severe weather comes.”

The declaration is largely procedural and will make it easier for state agencies to access resources and position flood-response supplies, including sandbags and pumps, ahead of possible storms.

Officials also said the proclamation prepares the California National Guard to assist with flood response, search-and-rescue operations, engineering and logistics when required.

El Niño is the warming phase of the natural El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle in the tropical Pacific, which occurs every two to seven years.

The phenomenon develops when east-to-west trade winds weaken, allowing warm water that normally accumulates in the western Pacific to move eastward and rise to the surface.

When above-average surface temperatures persist for several months, they can produce more storms and cloud cover in the region, triggering atmospheric effects that influence weather patterns around the world.

These effects can bring hotter and drier conditions to some regions and cooler and wetter weather to others.

Human-caused climate change can intensify some of El Niño’s effects. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, potentially making El Nino-related rainfall more extreme, while drier soils can worsen drought conditions in areas affected by El Niño.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this year’s El Niño has a 75 per cent chance of becoming the strongest on record.

The weather pattern is already associated with extreme conditions globally, although it is not expected to reach its peak until October to December.