Occidental College Prepares for Historic El Niño, Anticipating Flooding and Power Outages
Occidental College in California is bracing for the impacts of what climate scientists predict could be the worst El Niño event in recorded history, expected to strengthen through early 2027. This naturally occurring climate pattern, characterized by massive storm clouds, is projected to bring heavy rain and severe storms to Southern California. Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management David Caldwell stated that rising global temperatures and warm Pacific waters are exacerbating this El Niño, leading to a higher likelihood of intense flooding and frequent power outages across the region. The college's Emergency Response Team (ERT) has established a website with resources and will issue notifications regarding class cancellations or campus disruptions. Facilities staff are actively surveying the campus, repairing drains, and gathering supplies like water pumps and cleanup equipment to mitigate potential damage and ensure a swift response to any incidents.
