Kern County is included in a statewide emergency declaration as California braces for what could be one of the strongest El Niño events on record, with forecasters warning the coming winter storm season could bring significant impacts.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to help California prepare for a powerful El Niño system headed toward the state. The declaration includes Kern County.
The last large El Niño came in the winter of 1997-98, and experts say this one is shaping up to be bigger. Carlos Molina, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said the 1997-98 El Niño caused extensive damage and that the upcoming winter could be worse.
“Looks like a lot of the analysis that we’ve been looking at, we look at the Ocean Nino index or the ONI,” Molina said.
The 1997 storm had a rating of 2.8 degrees Celsius. Molina said current measurements are already higher as the season approaches.
“Right now, as we approach October and we are already seeing that value reach up to 3 degrees Celsius,” Molina said.
In Kern County, the fire department said it had already been preparing ahead of Newsom’s proclamation, noting September is National Preparedness Month. Jeremy Ruiz said the department can adjust staffing and resources as conditions change.
“We’re not only staying up with our department staffing levels when we have those meetings that are called. For a weather event we can elevate our staffing levels to specific areas as needed,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz urged residents to make sure they can receive emergency notifications and to understand how their location could be affected during severe weather.
“We have notifications in place through Genasys Protect. We have zones in our county. The best thing people can do is to be aware of their local typography, their local zone that’s going to be impacted during a weather event,” Ruiz said.
Officials advised residents to sign up for alerts, know their flood risk by finding out whether their area is flood-prone, and stay informed by monitoring forecasts and enrolling in emergency alerts from their city or county. They also recommended having an evacuation plan, packing a bag, and keeping an emergency kit ready. Drivers are urged never to drive through floodwater and to turn around and find another route.
Newsom said preparation for El Niño starts now because every Californian deserves to be safe in their home, connected to their community and protected when severe weather comes.