Gov. Newsom has declared a statewide emergency for California in anticipation of this winter\u2019s El Ni\u00f1o-fueled storms, a new sign of growing worry about costal flooding and high waves expected in the coming months.<\/p>\n
El Ni\u00f1o may bring high surf, high impact storms to the state which \u201cwarrants early, coordinated, and targeted preparedness actions to protect Californians, critical infrastructure, agricultural lands, natural resources, and the State\u2019s economy,\u201d the state\u2019s emergency proclamation read.<\/p>\n
Already this year, multiple counties have declared local emergencies as a spell of powerful, tropical storms from the Pacific sent high surf to Southern California, eroding local beaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cCalifornia is strongest when we look out for one another. That is what this action is about,\u201d Newsom said in a prepared statement Monday in announcing the emergency declaration. \u201cGiving communities the support they need, giving first responders the tools to do their jobs, and giving families the confidence that their state is ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with the statewide proclamation, the governor proclaimed emergencies in multiple counties, including Santa Barbara County, that had been hit hard recently from the storms.<\/p>\n
The move comes amid growing alarm over coastal damage from El Ni\u00f1o.<\/p>\n
Homes from south Orange County to Malibu were flooded and severely damaged. Erosion chewed away the coast from Carlsbad to Long Beach.<\/p>\n
Laguna Beach<\/a>, Dana Point<\/a> and Carlsbad<\/a> last week declared local states of emergency, citing coastal erosion and sand loss from the effects of a south swell brought on by Hurricane Marie. El Ni\u00f1o typically results in an unusually active hurricane season in the eastern Pacific, which is where Hurricane Marie formed.<\/p>\n Orange County officials announced<\/a> that they were activating their emergency operations center, which is required when two cities in the county proclaim a local emergency.<\/p>\n