Rancho Palos Verdes Could Declare Emergency Ahead Of Powerful El Niño

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — Rancho Palos Verdes could declare a local emergency Tuesday as the city prepares for a potentially historic El Niño that officials warn could accelerate its sprawling landslide complex and threaten roads, utilities and other critical infrastructure.

The proposed emergency declaration is scheduled for consideration by the City Council on Oct. 6. City staff is recommending the council proclaim an emergency in anticipation of the 2026-27 El Niño, allowing officials to more quickly procure and position resources before potentially severe winter storms arrive.

The proposal comes as NOAA's Climate Prediction Center says El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90 percent chance of becoming a very strong event during fall and winter. Forecasters put the chance of the event reaching historic strength during the October-December period at 75 percent, meaning it would exceed previous El Niño events in records dating to 1950.

NOAA cautioned that even an El Niño of that magnitude does not guarantee particular weather impacts, although the chances of experiencing conditions typically associated with El Niño increase as the event becomes stronger.

Landslide Complex Raises Stakes

For Rancho Palos Verdes, the concern extends beyond heavy rain. City officials said prolonged winter storms, strong winds and high surf could bring flooding, erosion, landslides, transportation disruptions and utility outages. Those risks are particularly concerning because of the city's continuing land movement, which could leave slopes, roads, storm drains, sewer lines and other infrastructure vulnerable.

The city's draft resolution says previous severe storms and atmospheric rivers have caused flooding, road closures, infrastructure damage and accelerated movement of the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. Officials say the developing El Niño poses an "imminent and proximate threat" to people and property, with Palos Verdes Drive South among the infrastructure specifically identified as vulnerable.

Preparations are already underway in the landslide area. Crews are enclosing and hardening deep dewatering wells, securing canyon liners, clearing storm drains, replacing sandbags, filling fissures and carrying out erosion-control and drainage improvements in flood-prone locations, including along Palos Verdes Drive South.

The emergency declaration would allow the city to move more quickly to identify, purchase and pre-position equipment and supplies, prepare personnel and coordinate with Los Angeles County, state and federal agencies, utilities and neighboring jurisdictions. Officials said those powers could reduce delays when immediate action is needed to protect people, property, essential services and critical infrastructure.

State, County Already Declared Emergencies

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency Sept. 21, directing state agencies to prepare for the developing El Niño by protecting vulnerable communities, staging emergency supplies and preparing roads and other critical infrastructure. The proclamation also directs agencies to expedite work aimed at reducing flooding, landslide and debris-flow risks.

Los Angeles County followed with its own local emergency proclamation Sept. 23, citing potential atmospheric rivers, heavy precipitation, coastal flooding, erosion, debris flows, land movement, road damage and widespread power outages. The county said such conditions could exceed its own resources and require assistance from other jurisdictions.

If approved, Rancho Palos Verdes' declaration would take effect immediately. State law requires the council to review the need for continuing the emergency at least once every 60 days, and it would remain in effect until the council terminates it.

The declaration itself would not guarantee state or federal reimbursement for the city's preparation or response costs. Staff said reimbursement would depend on the circumstances of any disaster, eligible expenses and applicable state and federal requirements, although the proclamation could support future requests for assistance.

The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd.

Related:

• RPV Ramps Up Landslide Defenses Ahead Of El Niño Winter: Report

• Long Beach Declares Local Emergency Ahead Of El Niño Winter
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