{"id":485798,"date":"2026-10-05T14:50:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/485798\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:50:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:50:08","slug":"with-a-potentially-historic-el-nino-looming-heres-how-orange-county-is-getting-ready-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/485798\/","title":{"rendered":"With a potentially historic El Ni\u00f1o looming, here\u2019s how Orange County is getting ready \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Workers<\/p>\n

Workers clear the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in preparation for El Ni\u00f1o. The work is also part of a pilot program to measure how quickly vegetation grows back to establish maintenance schedules. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Giles<\/p>\n

Giles Matthews, regulatory permitting manager with Orange County Public Works, holds an invasive and non-native tobacco plant, left, and a native willow plant, both removed from the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Workers removed \u201cwoodies\u201d like the willow because it is not pliable and could clog the channels during the upcoming El Ni\u00f1o. It will be rooted in water, Matthews says, and then replanted around Orange County. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG).\n<\/p>\n

\"Workers<\/p>\n

Workers clear the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in preparation for El Ni\u00f1o. The work is also part of a pilot program to measure how quickly vegetation grows back to establish maintenance schedules. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Vegetation<\/p>\n

Vegetation cleared from the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, is hauled away in a truck, as Orange County prepares for El Ni\u00f1o. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Workers<\/p>\n

Workers clear out the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. They removed \u201cwoodies,\u201d or non-pliable plants, including the non-native and highly invasive arundo, pictured. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Workers<\/p>\n

Workers clear the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in preparation for El Ni\u00f1o. The work is also part of a pilot program to measure how quickly vegetation grows back to establish maintenance schedules. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Vegetation<\/p>\n

Vegetation and trash is cleared from the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, as Orange County prepares for El Ni\u00f1o. Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Workers<\/p>\n

Workers clear the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in preparation for El Ni\u00f1o. The work is also part of a pilot program to measure how quickly vegetation grows back to establish maintenance schedules. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wednesday,<\/p>\n

Wednesday, September 30, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Workers<\/p>\n

Workers clear the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in preparation for El Ni\u00f1o. The work is also part of a pilot program to measure how quickly vegetation grows back to establish maintenance schedules. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Giles<\/p>\n

Giles Matthews, regulatory permitting manager with Orange County Public Works, sorts out native willow plants in the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Workers cleared invasive and noninvasive vegetation in preparation for El Ni\u00f1o. The willows will be replanted around Orange County. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Cathy<\/p>\n

Cathy Seiders, a 43-year resident, walks her and a neighbors dog down Robinson Ranch Road in Rancho Santa Margarita. The Airport Fire burn area is visible in the background. Thursday October 1, 2026.
\n(Photo by Karen Tapia, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Several<\/p>\n

Several homes are yellow-tagged at Victoria Beach in Laguna Beach on Thursday, September 24, 2026, after high tides and erosion compromised a seawall. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"In<\/p>\n

In preparation for the 2026-27 El Ni\u00f1o, Anaheim crews are repeating steps taken in previous years to brace the city for rainy weather, including clearing drainage systems around the city. (Courtesy of City of Anaheim)\n<\/p>\n

\"In<\/p>\n

In preparation for the 2026-27 El Ni\u00f1o, Anaheim crews are repeating steps taken in previous years to brace the city for rainy weather, including laying jute netting against mudslide-prone slopes along Santa Ana Canyon. (Courtesy of City of Anaheim)\n<\/p>\n

\"In<\/p>\n

In preparation for the 2026-27 El Ni\u00f1o, Anaheim crews are repeating steps taken in previous years to brace the city for rainy weather, including clearing trees and in Anaheim Hills. (Courtesy of City of Anaheim)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A USDA Forest Service Fire truck responds to a report of smoke showing in the Airport Fire burn area in Trabuco Canyon. Thursday October 1, 2026.
\n(Photo by Karen Tapia, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 17<\/p>\n

Workers clear the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in preparation for El Ni\u00f1o. The work is also part of a pilot program to measure how quickly vegetation grows back to establish maintenance schedules. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Southern California is seeing a heat wave that will have the thermometer hovering near 100 degrees in parts of Orange County the next few days. Yet crews across the region are bracing for a downpour.<\/p>\n

An El Ni\u00f1o forecast<\/a> that officials say could be historic<\/a> has agencies across OC preparing for the worst-case scenarios, attempting to ready residents with community meetings and getting staff trained so they are prepared to quickly respond to potential storm damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get it, people are sweltering,\u201d Anaheim city spokesperson Mike Lyster said. \u201cBut we still have to prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we have to prepare for the maximum scenario, which would be a heavy El Ni\u00f1o with heavy, heavy rain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Heavy rain, strong winds, crashing waves, and coastal flooding are among the warnings of what could be in store this winter, experts say.<\/p>\n

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Research Oceanographer Andrew Leising said November through February is when the max impacts are likely to be seen from the forecasted El Ni\u00f1o \u2014 though he notes each El Ni\u00f1o has its own personality.<\/p>\n

The potentially \u201csuper\u201d El Ni\u00f1o is expected to really pick up during the December\u2013February period, when communities may experience more frequent and intense storms.<\/p>\n

County officials already held an emergency response training session in September with OC Public Works crews to make sure they are dialed in before heavy rains put the system to the test, said Jamie Cargo, department spokesperson.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went over rain safety protocols, storm patrol, how to place a sandbag properly, what to do overnight, making sure they know how to use their radios,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s important because they\u2019re going to be the ones out there responding.\u201d<\/p>\n

A project to manually remove bulky, thick invasive plants from San Juan and Trabuco creeks was underway this week as part of the county\u2019s preparations to clear waterways so rainfall draining out of inland communities can flow to the ocean without backing up.<\/p>\n

About three dozen public works employees worked with mostly hand tools and shears as part of a pilot program the county started as an alternative to using herbicides. Cargo said.<\/p>\n

The county will be assessing how quickly invasive and non-native species regrow after manual and mechanical cutting.<\/p>\n

Keeping the creek channels free of thick vegetation and debris is part of the county\u2019s routine maintenance, but this year it takes higher priority because of the anticipated rains from El Ni\u00f1o, Cargo said.<\/p>\n

Crews will also keep a closer eye on problem areas in canyon communities such as Trabuco, Silverado, Modjeska and Williams, she said. \u201cThose are the ones we focus on most, and we do preventive maintenance throughout the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

County staff inspect areas more vulnerable to flooding and mudslides twice a year, then address needed maintenance, mostly in flood control channels, she added.<\/p>\n

In Trabuco Canyon, she said crews will focus on the burn scar from the Airport Fire<\/a>, and crews will certainly be monitoring that area during storms.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s two-fold, you have the water, and you have the debris flows,\u201d Cargo said. \u201cWe\u2019re monitoring the debris flows and making sure the waterways are effective and get the water moved out through the area in a way that doesn\u2019t cause any flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n

To get the canyon communities involved in preparations for the potentially strong El Ni\u00f1o, Cargo said an event is planned for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Library of the Canyons.<\/p>\n

It will include the National Weather Service with the forecast of El Ni\u00f1o conditions and county officials will brief residents on what is being done to prepare and the services that will be offered during and after the storms. It will also include information on sandbags that will be distributed \u2014 the first giveaway will\u00a0 Oct. 24 in the Modjeska Canyon lot.<\/p>\n

Anaheim public works employees have a laundry list of tasks they complete for each rainy season and are working through now ahead of the expected busy winter, including clearing drains leading to underground sewage systems and to stormwater runoff systems and setting up \u201cpump stations\u201d where water will naturally accumulate, Lyster said. Slopes prone to mud runoff will be reinforced with mesh.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe utilities team, they do this all the time, too, but they are prepping too,\u201d Lyster said of the city-run utilities department. \u201cThey will do preventive checks of as many things as they can to minimize any impact from winter storms, but they are also doing many of the same things our public works team is doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city, with a tentative starting date of Nov. 2, will open three sandbag filling stations: at the Anaheim Central Library, the Downtown Community Center and the West Anaheim Youth Center. The city\u2019s fire stations will provide sandbags as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake the youth center, for example, you would go in, show that you\u2019re an Anaheim resident, either your driver\u2019s license or a utility bill, or some other verifiable proof, and we will give you a bundle of 10 sandbags. And then you can go out to a very easily self-served sandbag station,\u201d Lyster said.<\/p>\n

Most cities offer residents sandbags ahead of storms; check the website where you live for information.<\/p>\n

Anaheim city officials are encouraging residents to search their homes for places where water builds up and to clean their property\u2019s drainage systems ahead of the rainy season.<\/p>\n

Some homeowners are already taking action to fix projects that they\u2019ve put off for years \u2013 leaky roofs, clogged yard drains and stocking up on sandbags to ensure their homes can withstand the incoming storms that could ravage the region during the \u201cSuper El Nino.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll my clients are terrified,\u201d said Aaron Woodward, who runs the family operated AW & Sons Plumbing in south Orange County.<\/p>\n

His phone has been ringing nonstop with people who are addressing issues they\u2019ve put off in anticipation of wild weather this winter, he said. \u201cA lot of the customers are calling worried about El Ni\u00f1o.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some are people who remember drainage systems not working during the last stormy season, now scrambling to get them fixed. Others have patio doors that are at concrete level so water can spill into their home during heavy rain, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe usually get a couple calls a year,\u201d he said. \u201cNow, we\u2019re getting a couple a day. \u2026 Everybody is trying to get this type of work done; you\u2019re seeing a huge uptick in people nervous about their homes flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n

But there are also concerns for those without stable housing.<\/p>\n

A \u201ckey part\u201d of the county\u2019s year-round homeless outreach effort, said Doug Becht, the director of the county\u2019s Office of Care Coordination, is partnering with OC Public Works and the Orange County Sheriff\u2019s Department to ensure that people are not living in dangerous locations, specifically the riverbeds and flood control channels where flash flooding can quickly become life-threatening.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur outreach and engagement team goes out every week of the year with the two departments on flood control channels to ensure people are not on there and are connected to services,\u201d he said. \u201cThat becomes a heightened priority as storms approach.\u201d<\/p>\n

There aren\u2019t currently plans for the big emergency cold weather shelters the county would open in the past, Becht said, because no city has expressed an interest in hosting one, but overall more shelter space is now available to people in need of a place off the streets.<\/p>\n

Residents in need of shelter can call 2-1-1 to be connected to available resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Sept. 21, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency<\/a> that officials say will help the state mobilize vast resources for a \u201cwhole-of-government\u201d approach ahead of potential El Ni\u00f1o storms.<\/p>\n

With the declaration, agencies can prepare \u201cearlier, faster and with more focus to protect lives and support communities,\u201d Caroline Thomas Jacobs, director of the California Office of Emergency Services, said during a media briefing.<\/p>\n

Newsom\u2019s proclamation directs state agencies to lead flood risk-reduction efforts in local communities; prepare and stage flood supplies and other equipment near at-risk areas for quick deployment; calls on the California National Guard, the California Volunteers, CalFire and other emergency and first-responder agencies to be on standby in the event of an emergency or an evacuation; and allows regulatory agencies such as the California Coastal Commission, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Natural Resources Agency to fast-track permitting for local governments and communities to prepare for anticipated impacts from any winter storms.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Thomas Jacobs said the California National Guard \u201cis ready with high-water vehicles, helicopters, search and rescue, engineering support and logistics\u201d crews on standby to respond to any emergencies. CalFire is also standing by with its assets available to aid in any emergency evacuations, she said.<\/p>\n

Thomas Gibson, director of the California Department of Water Resources, said the agency has pre-positioned about 4.4 million sandbags and other flood-fight materials at 68 locations across the state. More than 200 flood material containers will be at the ready to deploy to hotspots and impacted areas as needed, he said.<\/p>\n

DWR has also amassed a stockpile of more than 400,000 tons of rock for emergency levee repairs and has relocated flood materials to coastal counties, Gibson said.<\/p>\n

Geographically, DWR is prioritizing coastal areas, especially in Southern California, as it prepares for severe impacts as a result of storms this winter, said Laura Hollender, the agency\u2019s deputy director for flood management and dam safety.<\/p>\n

Coastal towns have already been put to the test this summer, with stretches of sand swept away during a strong hurricane swell season. In one beachfront neighborhood, several homes have been red-tagged.<\/p>\n

Beach towns, along with the county, have also declared emergencies<\/a> ahead of El Ni\u00f1o to dispatch quick help if needed, and to get reimbursement for emergency work that needs to be done.<\/p>\n

In nearly all the beach towns, public works departments have worked all summer building up big sand berms to try and hold back the sea, safeguards typically done closer to the start of the winter season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve done our winter preparation for the staff, lifeguards have been trained to run the pumps, along with other employees,\u201d Seal Beach<\/a> Lifeguard Chief Joe Bailey said of the systems in place for draining flooding water. \u201cAll the pumps are ready. We are looking at everything we can do to mitigate the upcoming winter season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several emergency permits have already been issued by the Coastal Commission to protect homes and public infrastructure, said spokesperson Joshua Smith. For example, it recently approved two dozen emergency permits for Beach Road in Dana Point primarily for the construction of a new rock revetment across many homes and offered to extend the expiration dates for those permits through the winter storm season, Smith said.<\/p>\n

At its Oct. 7 meeting, the Coastal Commission is considering nearly three dozen emergency permits requested by the state parks department, local governments, businesses and residents up and down the OC coastline.<\/p>\n

Several beaches have been closed off to the public due to severe erosion, especially in popular Laguna Beach. The south end of Aliso Beach<\/a> has been closed down for weeks; a stretch near vulnerable homes at Victoria Beach is covered in caution tape; and a rock slide at Agate Beach this week prompted the closure of the stairs down to the shore.<\/a><\/p>\n

Laguna Beach Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond said that there are several areas the city is watching closely along the city\u2019s coastline.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first priority is going to be the safety of the visitors and our residents,\u201d Bond said. \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to a more stable environment, but I don\u2019t think we\u2019re going to see that until the end of this El Ni\u00f1o.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laguna Beach officials are hosting a \u201cSuper El Ni\u00f1o Community Preparedness Workshop\u201d at 6 p.m. on Oct. 12 at the Community & Recreation Center, and there has already been evacuation training for lifeguards and other emergency responders to get people away from the coast if necessary.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re continually training like that, as a city and a department, to make sure we are prepared for whatever comes our way,\u201d Bond said. \u201cI think the overall message needs to be: Be aware of what the weather is going to be, make decisions early, instead of way too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Water managers and agencies in the region have also been preparing for the winter season, meeting together regularly and coming up with action plans in case of emergencies.<\/p>\n

Marc Serna, deputy general manager for South Coast Water District, said there has already been coordination and collaboration with staff, as well as other local water and wastewater agencies to make sure they are prepared.<\/p>\n

During Hurricane Marie in early September, the SCWD had to move swiftly when a sewer line was exposed following damage from a big swell that battered the region. A crumbling seawall was stabilized and the line has been shored up with concrete block protections to prevent a sewer main from breaking into the ocean.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gave us a real-life exercise of things that can potentially come, and a good wake-up call to start looking at all of our facilities again, to make sure we can get to them as fast as we can,\u201d said Rick Shintaku, general manager for the water district.<\/p>\n

SCWD is also acquiring materials such as sandbags and heavy plastic sheeting needed in case of flooding, especially in low-lying areas of the district. They are also placing sandbags and increasing checks at facilities near sea level, and plugging low-lying sewer manholes to keep stormwater out of the sewer system.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re taking this seriously,\u201d said Shintaku. \u201cBecause we\u2019re a coastal agency, this is business as usual \u2014 with an enhanced concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

Water agencies are also preparing to take advantage of the rainy season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe El Ni\u00f1o presents a huge opportunity for us,\u201d Orange Coast Water District board President Denis Bilodeau said. \u201cWe love when it rains, and we prepare well in advance to make sure we can capture as much of the rainwater as possible, to recharge our water basin.\u201d<\/p>\n

A rain cycle three years ago that allowed for a large harvest of water<\/a> has meant the district avoided having to buy imported water, Bilodeau said.<\/p>\n

In one cycle alone, the district is able to capture 26,000 acre-feet of water \u2013 the equivalent of $26 million they would have needed to spend on imported water from the Colorado River.<\/p>\n

The main opportunity comes from capturing water behind the Prado Dam, which is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.<\/p>\n

One challenge: sand builds up in the dam.<\/p>\n

Permitting delays and a bird nesting season have meant the district will have to wait until next year to clear out sand. While the sand stockpile doesn\u2019t pose an overflow danger, Bilodeau said, it means less rainwater can be stored.<\/p>\n

Smaller local basins, however, have sand that OCWD has made available to cities \u2013 particularly for coastal and canyon communities that could see the brunt of storm impacts and may need to fill sandbags for residents, Bilodeau said.<\/p>\n

OCWD is also working on an agreement with Newport Beach ahead of the El Ni\u00f1o season to share equipment and staffing in the case of emergencies. Bulldozers and skiploaders based in Anaheim can be deployed quickly to help if needed, Bilodeau said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re always happy to help, all these government entities need to work cooperatively together to help the public,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we don\u2019t communicate, the equipment is sitting idle. We are all the government, and the government has to protect the people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Newport Beach Councilmember Erik Weigand, who also sits on the OCWD board, talked about the uncertainty around El Ni\u00f1o. It\u2019s unknown if it will actually turn out to be a rainy one, like the 1997-98 season, or a dry one like a decade ago in 2015-16.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re in this uncharted territory. We know El Ni\u00f1o will exist, but how much rain will it bring us?\u201d\u00a0 Weigand asked. \u201cA lot of this is still unpredictable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though the upcoming rain levels are unknown, more certain are strong northwest swells during winter that can bring further erosion and damage to local beaches.<\/p>\n

In past El Ni\u00f1os, piers have been knocked down and destroyed, homes threatened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a pretty big storm season we have to prepare for,\u201d\u00a0 Weigand said. \u201cOur guys are already out there shoring up the shore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstanding we have potential for strong storm surge, just being prepared now is good practice, and will help us through the whole season,\u201d he said. \u201cThis could last through spring, if not longer.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Workers clear the San Juan and Trabuco Creek flood control channels in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday, September…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":485799,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,1785,7,179,100,611,136,19],"class_list":["post-485798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-beaches","tag-california","tag-community","tag-news","tag-orange-county","tag-top-stories","tag-weather"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/485798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=485798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/485798\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/485799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=485798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=485798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=485798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}