California El Niño winter plan: alerts, burn scars, floods

Last reviewed: Nov 5, 2026

Follow your local authorities. In an emergency call 999/911.

This is the plan in the order to do it. The full costed checklist, with quantities for a family of four and the do-by tag on every row, is on the California checklist; this page adds the order and the official tools to use. Where a line below is in quotation marks, it is the agency's own wording.

What El Niño changes here

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) shows the ENSO Alert System Status as "El Niño Advisory". Its discussion, dated "8 October 2026", says "a strong-to-very strong El Niño likely through January-March 2027 (remaining greater than an 83% chance)" and "With an event of this magnitude, the chances of experiencing impacts consistent with El Niño are larger, though not guaranteed" (NOAA CPC). We give no California storm count or flood odds, because no source we can cite gives one. For the state-by-state picture see is El Niño coming to my state.

California's emergency office, Cal OES, says "Now is the time to prepare, before the storm arrives, to keep you and your loved ones safe." Its steps: "Sign up for local alerts at: Listos California", "Talk with your family about an emergency plan.", "Prepare a go-bag in case you need to leave your home quickly." and "Learn multiple evacuation routes out of your neighborhood." (Cal OES storm season safety).

The plan, in order

1. Now: get alerts and learn your zone

Wireless Emergency Alerts need no sign-up. The National Weather Service says "No signup is required! Alerts are sent automatically to WEA-capable phones during an emergency." (National Weather Service).
Sign up for your county's alerts. Cal OES says "Sign up for local alerts at: Listos California" (Cal OES), and Listos California says "Listos California offers an Emergency Alerts sign-up page to help connect Californians to their local alerts systems based on a provided zip code or location." County systems we have checked:

Los Angeles County: "Alert LA County is an opt-in mass notification program utilized by the County of Los Angeles that allows individuals to receive emergency alerts by text, email and/or phone call." (Alert LA County)
Sonoma County: "Receive critical life safety notifications via SoCoAlert and Nixle." (SoCoAlert)
San Joaquin County: "San Joaquin County has partnered with Everbridge to implement SJReady Alerts, a community notification system to alert residents about emergency events and other important public safety information." (SJReady)

Look up your hazards and your evacuation zone. Cal OES: "To check your hazards, visit: https://myhazards.caloes.ca.gov/" (Cal OES); here is the MyHazards lookup. The state current evacuation zones map describes itself as "Current evacuation zones in the state of California, from data managed by CalOES via county data from Zonehaven/Genesys".
Learn the two evacuation words. Cal OES: "Evacuation Warning: There is a potential threat to life and property. Leave now if you need additional time to evacuate or have pets or livestock." and "Evacuation Order: There is an immediate threat to life and property. Leave now." (Cal OES). More in evacuation terms.
Know watch from warning. The National Weather Service says "A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible." and "A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring." "A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring." and "If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground." (National Weather Service). See watch vs warning.

2. Within 2 weeks: burn scars, hillsides and coast

Below a recent burn scar, the risk is higher. Cal OES: "Where intense fires occur, soils can develop a layer that repels water" and "much less precipitation is required to produce a flash flood"; "locations that are downhill and downstream from burned areas are highly vulnerable to rain that can cause mudslides and debris flows, especially in and around steep terrain." Also: "Debris flows and mudslides can occur many years after wildfires. Both happen fast, so heed evacuation warnings immediately." and "If you live on a hill, do not sleep in bedrooms that are on the ground floor which face the hazardous slopes." (Cal OES).
Monitor storms and check your county's burn-scar tool. Cal OES: "Monitor incoming storms, especially if you live in burned areas or downstream/downslope of a burned area." (Cal OES).
Los Angeles County: the Debris and Mudflow Potential Forecast page says "this Debris and Mudflow Potential Forecast applies to those communities for which Mudflow Phase Maps have been prepared. Other rural and canyon roads below burn areas may be impacted by any significant storm event."
San Luis Obispo County: its burn-scar and debris-flow page says "Locations downhill and downstream from burned areas are very susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows, especially near steep terrain." and "A recent wildfire will have lasting effects on the landscape and create an increased risk of flooding for years to come, particularly in the first two years after the wildfire."
Santa Barbara County: the ReadySBC maps page lists an "Emergency Zones Map" and a "Santa Barbara County Community Hazard Awareness Map".
Plan a route that avoids water. Cal OES: "you'll want to choose an evacuation route that bypasses bodies of water and takes you to higher ground." Also: "If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive around or through barricades." and "If it's likely your home will flood, don't wait for an evacuation order." (Cal OES).
Keep the fuel tank full. Cal OES: "Keep your gas tank full in case of evacuation or power outages." (Cal OES).

3. Now: protect the home

City of Los Angeles residents: the Los Angeles Fire Department "provides free ready-to-fill sandbags year-round at ALL Neighborhood Fire Stations" and "up to 25 free sandbags per household". The page adds: "the Department is not able to fill, deliver, install or remove sandbags." Outside the city: "Those living outside the City of Los Angeles can find Los Angeles County Fire Department sand and sandbag locations" (LAFD).
Sump pump: "Make sure your sump pump is working and consider having a backup." (National Weather Service).
Gutters and trees: Cal OES lists "Clear gutters and downspouts of debris to ensure proper drainage." and "Cut down or trim tree branches that may fall on your home" (Cal OES). LA County's rain preparedness page says "Clean out gutters, downspouts and storm drains and repair roof leaks before the storm hits."

4. Now: water, power and carbon monoxide

Water: the CDC says "Store at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day for 3 days." and "Try to store a 2-week supply if possible." (CDC). The California checklist has the family-of-four quantity.
Generators: the CDC says "Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent." and "Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented." (CDC). Cal OES: "If you use a generator, only use it outdoors and at least 20 feet away from your home." (Cal OES). On heating, the CDC says "Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home." (CDC).
Carbon monoxide alarms: the Consumer Product Safety Commission says "Install battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas." (CPSC).
Warning signs and what to do: the CDC says "The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion." and "If someone shows signs of having carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 or your local Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or consult a health care professional right away." (CDC). The CPSC adds: "If you suspect CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately, and then call 911." (CPSC).
Medical equipment: Cal OES says "For those who are at high risk and require power for medical needs, contact your local utility providers for the medical baseline program which offers early notifications of possible shutoffs giving residents time to adjust their emergency plans." (Cal OES). The CPUC says the program "is based solely on medical conditions and there is no income requirement" and provides "A lower rate on your monthly energy bill" and "Extra notifications in advance of a utility Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS)"; "To apply or learn more, reach out to your utility company directly" (CPUC).

5. Within 2 weeks: insurance and paperwork

Flood insurance has a waiting period. FloodSmart (FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program) says "Your flood insurance coverage will go into effect 30 days after your date of purchase. There are four exceptions to this rule" and "Most homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood damage." (FloodSmart). The California checklist shows the current National Flood Insurance Program authority key date.
Mudflow is defined narrowly. The California Department of Insurance says "Mudflow is defined as a river of liquid and flowing mud on the surfaces of normally dry land areas such as when earth is carried by a current of water. Landslide, slope failures, or saturated soil moving down a slope are not mudflows. In general, the policy excludes losses caused by earth movement, even if the earth movement is caused by flood." (CDI flood facts).
Document your belongings. The CFPB checklist says "A written inventory of your belongings, backed up by a video of each room in your home, can help prove what you lost and what was damaged." and "Store your copies somewhere else - in a secure place at work or with a trusted relative or friend." (CFPB).

6. Before a storm arrives: contacts to save

| Who | Number or tool | Source | |---|---|---| | PG&E 24-hour Power Outage Information Line | 1-800-PGE-5002 (1-800-743-5002) | PG&E | | Southern California Edison, after calling 911 about a downed power line | 1-800-611-1911 | SCE | | LADWP Customer Contact Center, to report an outage | 1-800-342-5397 | LADWP | | Local help with housing, disaster recovery and everyday needs | 211 California directory of local 211 services | 211 California |

PG&E: "If you see downed powerlines, stay away. Don't exit your car or home. Call 9-1-1. Then call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000" (PG&E). The same page prints "24-hour Power Outage Information Line: 1-800-PGE-5002 (1-800-743-5002)". SCE: "If you see a downed power line, call 911 first, and then notify SCE at 1-800-611-1911" (SCE). LADWP: "To report an outage, call our Customer Contact Center at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397)" (LADWP). 211 California: "Whether you're looking for help with housing, disaster recovery, or everyday needs, 211 is here for you." (211 California). The table lists only the three utilities we checked.

7. During and after a storm

Cal OES: "Listen to local authorities for updated information and road conditions." (Cal OES). On mudslides and debris flows: "Remember – local authorities may indicate it is safer for you and your family to shelter in place if flash flooding is not impacting your neighborhood." (Cal OES).
The National Weather Service says "You should arrive at the beach well-informed about the local weather, surf, and tide forecasts for the beach you are visiting." and "You must stay situationally aware at all times and never turn your back on the ocean." (National Weather Service).
After damage, the CFPB says "Contact your insurance company if your home, car, or other property was damaged to start the claims process" and "Take pictures or videos of the damage if you can." (CFPB).

Where to go next

California checklist: every item with quantity, cost and timing tag.
Is El Niño coming to my state?
US index

Gaps we know about

Statewide alert sign-up (CalAlerts.org): the site returned HTTP 403 on 2026-11-05, so we do not link it. We cite Listos California and county systems instead. Counties other than Los Angeles, Sonoma and San Joaquin are not covered here.
Official kit-contents list and pet evacuation items: the Red Cross and ready.gov pages return 403, and we found no checkable government page. This page has no kit list. The checklist rows on pets and kits rest on sources we cannot currently check.
Open-shelter locator: the Red Cross locator returns 403. We give no locator link; 211 California is listed above for local help.
FEMA flood-map lookup, landslide warning signs, ready.gov flood and car advice: the ready.gov and FEMA Flood Map Service Center pages could not be checked, so these are not on this page.
Floodwater depths: the Cal OES pages we checked give different figures for how little water can move a person or vehicle, so we state no depth. Cal OES says "It's never safe to walk or drive through flood waters." (Cal OES).
NFIP authority status: FEMA's reauthorization page returns 403. The dated key-date line on the checklist page is not re-verified today, so confirm with FloodSmart or your insurer before you buy or renew.
El Niño effect on California: no cited source gives a California-specific probability, storm count or flood chance, so we give none.
Evacuation zones: we did not find a single statewide lookup for debris-flow zones. The state map above is a start; zone details come from county data.
Insurance for wildfire-caused debris flow: we found no checkable page that says what a policy pays for debris-flow losses after a wildfire, so this page gives none.
Ladder and roof safety, sandbag supply checks and surf-zone limits: not found in wording we could quote, so left out.
Other utilities (SoCalGas, SDG&E, municipal utilities) and other burn-scar counties are not covered here.