The Newsom administration and local agencies are working to capture stormwater for future use as California faces a series of major storms during the holiday period.
According to officials, the efforts are intended to strengthen water supplies statewide while reducing flood risks as heavy rain moves across the region.
The development comes California braces for winter storms expected to impact the state throughout the holiday season. Governor Gavin Newsom said California has taken early, coordinated steps to protect residents from the storms’ impacts.
California is prepared to capture and store as much water as possible this winter, ahead of seasonal rain.
We’re preparing for future dry months and droughts while protecting our water supply for communities, farms, and ecosystems across the state.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) December 23, 2025
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the storm system is bringing periods of heavy rain, strong winds, flood watches, and mountain snow across the state.
Weather officials warned that Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties could face particularly dangerous conditions, including flooding and the risk of rock or mudslides, especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
HEADS UP!!! Dangerous weather this week!!! Take the time now to prepare and NEVER drive through flooded roadways!!! pic.twitter.com/B6oSqcyrnc
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 23, 2025
While emergency preparedness is underway, water managers are also focused on turning the incoming storms into long-term benefits for the state. Winter storms play a critical role in California’s water security, supplying much of the water needed for the dry summer months.
Capturing stormwater can also help reduce flood risks while protecting against future drought conditions. Officials describe the approach as part of California’s broader response to increasingly extreme weather patterns linked to climate change.
Recent dry conditions across the state have increased the need for available reservoir capacity to store water and ease flood concerns. After several weeks with little rainfall in November, reservoirs were able to capture storm runoff, helping supply water to tens of thousands of households.
To further support flood control and water storage, the state has partnered with local agencies to expand groundwater recharge efforts.
Water storage preparations include the pre-deployment of 20 high-capacity pumps and the clearing of more than 650 acres of land to allow flood flows to be safely diverted into underground aquifers. These measures are aimed at reducing pressure on rivers during peak storms while strengthening groundwater supplies.
In Los Angeles, recent stormwater storage projects collected billions of gallons of water during earlier storms, demonstrating how these efforts can turn heavy rainfall into a valuable resource rather than a hazard.
Long-term investments are also shaping the state’s water strategy. In August, California committed an additional $219 million to the Sites Reservoir project, a major storage initiative designed to capture excess water during wet periods and hold it for drier months.
These efforts align with California’s long-term water supply strategy, which aims to secure water for future generations.
The plan focuses on expanding storage to capture major storms, increasing water recycling by 2030, improving efficiency and conservation, and developing new supplies through stormwater capture and desalination to better manage changing climate conditions.
Alongside water management efforts, the state has mobilized emergency resources to protect communities during the storms.
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has worked with local governments to pre-position crews and equipment, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding or debris flows. Resources sent to affected counties include fire engines, swiftwater rescue teams, helicopters, and hundreds of personnel.