San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria issued an emergency proclamation Friday in preparation for what could be a severe El Niño weather season beginning later this year. The declaration provides municipal officials with expanded powers to address potential flooding and storm-related hazards expected during the 2026-2027 rainy season.
The city's action mirrors earlier emergency declarations made by California state officials and San Diego County. By establishing a local emergency now, city leaders gain access to special authorities under state and local regulations and improve their chances of obtaining state and federal aid if needed.
According to the mayor, proactive preparation is essential before dangerous weather arrives. City crews have spent recent months clearing more than 11 miles of storm drainage systems, reinforcing infrastructure, and developing coordinated emergency response plans. Officials have also prepared sandbag distribution sites, reviewed evacuation pathways, installed protective barriers along coastal areas, and trained emergency operations personnel.
The city's Office of Emergency Services has led a collaborative planning effort since summer, establishing a working group that brings together multiple departments and partner agencies. This coordination has included launching a public awareness campaign called Stay Ready, San Diego, designed to help residents and businesses prepare for extreme weather and other crises.
City officials are bracing for impacts that may include unusually heavy rainfall, powerful surf conditions, coastal erosion, mudslides, electrical outages, fallen trees, and damage to public facilities. The emergency declaration will expire after seven days unless the City Council votes to extend it at their scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 6.
Residents are urged to determine whether their properties are in flood-vulnerable zones, create household emergency plans, assemble emergency supply kits, and monitor weather updates as the storm season approaches.