Forecasters say this fall and winter could be dangerous, and possible impacts include repeated heavy rain, strong winds, mountain snow, flooding, landslides, debris flows, large waves, and coastal flooding.
Officials said Californians should prepare early. El Niño is strengthening, they say, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event this fall and winter and a 75% chance it could reach historic strength. The Pacific is unusually warm, and that warmth can shift storm tracks and load the atmosphere with more energy over the months ahead.
Weather forecasters said the huge waves fueled by Hurricane Marie which hit Southern California this month could be an indication of the powerful effects of El Niño. The weather pattern usually emerges every two to seven years, and lasts nine to 12 months, officials said.
A specific dollar amount tied to the preparedness effort was not yet available, said Brian Ferguson of Cal OES.
During a virtual media briefing Monday, Laura Hollander of the state Department of Water Resources said Southern California in particular can potentially expect increased storms during the El Niño season.