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El Niño Preparedness PresentationEl Niño and Flood Readiness San Luis Obispo City preparations City Council Briefing | October 20th,2026 Satellite obser vations show a developing Pacific signal 1997 AND 2015 JUNE 1, 2026 The 2026 observation show s elevated sea surface height extending toward South America.Compare the spatial pattern,not color intensity:the graphics use different scales and processing. 2 >90% chance of a very strong El Niño event during fall and winter 2026– 27 Past floods provide local evidence 1969, 2004, 2023 2004 2023 3 January 2023 ~10” in 24 hours ~19” in 5 days Higuera 1969 1969 Mission PlazaChorro & HWY 101 Higuera & Bianchi January 1969 ~10.5” in 48 hrs. ~21” in 8 days T he 2022–23 stor ms renewed the war ning Rec ent SLO City impacts LOCAL FLOOD MAP Six storm systems brought w idespread flooding,creek & river flooding,damaging winds,high surf,and landslides countywide from Dec.26,2022,through Jan.17,2023. 4 Four City priorities befor e the stor ms Common outcomes across depar tments 01 Drainage and infrastr uctur e Inspect priority systems and confirm pumps, generators,barricades,fuel, and backup power. 02 Ro ads, evacuati on, and shelter Preplan closures,detours,rescue access,transportation assistance,shelter, and reentry. Updated unhoused outreach system. 03 EOC and staffing Set readiness triggers and confirm assignments,duty coverage,mutual aid, and purchasing authority. Consider preemptive Emergency Declaration 04 Public information Prepare English and Spanish messages and coordinate distribution through trusted partners. 5 Readiness escalates with for ecast confidence Seasonal work remains separate from incident activation SEASONAL Complete maintenance,contracts, staffing plans,public education,shelter coordination, and an EOC exercise. ELEVATED Begin daily coordination,stage equipment,verify patrols,brief Council, and start public updates. RESPONSE Activate the appropriate EOC level, deploy resources,close unsafe roads, open shelter support,and issue protective actions. RECOV ERY 6 Inspect damage, support displaced residents, document costs, and communicate restoration priorities. Citywide preparedness efforts Dr ainage, road safety,and critical infrastr ucture Inspected and cleared priority storm drains, creeks, ditches, and culverts throughout the City. Identified recurring flood-prone areas and implemented proactive mitigation measures. Tested equipment, verified supplies, and coordinated contractors, fuel, and emergency purchasing needs. Advanced three priority Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects at Almond, Patricia, and Old Garden Creek. Prepared public sand distribution locations at the Corp.Yard, Laguna Golf Course, Sinsheimer Park, and Santa Rosa Park. Coordinated community sandbagging events with Team Rubicon Oct. 20 and Central Coast Landscape Products Nov. 7. Conducted business outreach focused on flood preparedness, property protection, and continuity of operations.7 Public safety preparations Emergency coordination and rescue capability Review EOC activation procedures and staffing assignments Confirm swift water rescue, high-water vehicle, HazMat, and mutual-aid readiness Evaluate evacuation procedures and lessons learned from previous incidents Verify interoperable communications and unified- command procedures Coordinate an El Niño preparedness exercise GIS implementation of a new tracking tool to improve coordination of unhoused outreach among CDD, Rangers, SLOPD CAT Team, Fire Mobile Crisis Unit, and Natural Resources staff Shared GIS data with County of SLO Office of Emergency Services 8 W hat r esidents can do now Before the first major storm PROTECT THE HOME PREPARE THE HOUSEHOLD Make a go bag with ID, clothes, chargers, cash, and essential supplies. Keep meds, medical equipment, pet supplies, and important documents accessible. Stock water, food, flashlights, batteries, radios, and power banks. Register for AlertSLO, keep vehicles fueled or charged, and check on vulnerable neighbors. 20 2 feetofmovingwater can sw eep aw ay a vehicle of moving w ater can knock a person down 6 inches Clean gutters and downspouts; direct away from structures. Fix roof leaks and inspect windows, doors, and drainage systems. Trim hazardous tree limbs and secure outdoor loose materials. Prepare sandbags or flood barriers; document property conditions and review insurance coverage. San Luis Obispo El Niño and Flood Readiness www.SLOCity.org/storms 23 Questions? Local Proclamation Local emergency proclamations provide legal authority to mobilize resources,streamline decision-making,and access state and federal assistance during crises. •Authority:Enables local government to forego certain regulations, expedite procurement,commandeer resources,activate Disaster Service Workers,and coordinate emergency services. •Proclamation Process:Issued by the City Manager or County Administrative Officer within 10 days of the incident start.May be issued preemptively pursuant to Municipal Codes. •Ratification:The local governing body must review and ratify the proclamation within 7 Days. •Duration and Renew al:Initial proclamation is time-limited; extensions require review and re-approval every 60 days. •Benefits:Supports rapid response,first step to access local,state, and federal emergency funding,and enhanced interagency coordination. 10 Days Proclamation 7 Days Ratification 60 Days Renewal