The state of California is under a state of emergency to prepare for what officials say may be a severe winter weather season fueled by an unprecedented El Niño that could bring heavy rain and snow, strong winds, flooding, landslides and more.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state of emergency on Sept. 21 and said it would help mobilize state resources and prepare infrastructure and emergency supplies ahead of time.
"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," Newsom said.
Forecasters say there is a high chance this El Niño could be stronger than any dating back to 1950.
El Niño, a natural part of our climate that every
few years causes warmer temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, typically sees storm tracks shifting southward in the United States, bringing more rain to the South and less to the Great Lakes, interior New England and Pacific Northwest. During a strong El Niño, hurricanes and tropical storms tend to be more prolific in the Pacific Ocean.
Stronger El Niños are more likely the weather is to bring surprises, experts have said.
According to the governor's office, the effects in California could include:
- repeated rounds of heavy rain
- strong wind
- mountain snow
- flooding
- landslides and debris flows
- large waves
- coastal flooding
As a result, there may be roads closed and impassable, power outages and damage to homes and businesses, the governor's office said.
California has seen drastic El Niño effects in the past. During the 2015-16 El Niño, one of the strongest in 145 years, significant beach erosion was recorded along California's coasts, according to the California Coastal Commission. El Niños in 1982-83 and 1997-98 brought heavy rainfall and huge waves across several winter storms, causing flooding, landslides, coastal erosion and structural damage, the commission said in a report.
Contributing: Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles Pulver
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Newsom declares state of emergency to prepare for El Niño in CA
