Title
Motion to Adopt a Proclamation of the Threat of a Local Emergency Related to the 2026 El Niño Weather Pattern
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Public Safety
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a proclamation of a threatened local emergency as requested by the Director of Emergency Services related to the 2026 El Niño weather pattern.
BACKGROUND
El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific, which can shift weather patterns and bring wetter, more intense winters to California. Climate change can supercharge this natural climate pattern. A study published in the journal Science in August 2026 found El Niño events are now more than 36% stronger than before the industrial era, with this trend accelerating over the last 40 years as the planet warms. El Niño’s anticipated impacts are, amongst others, strong storms comprised of heavy rainfall and gusty winds and, in combination with historic king tides, potential coastal flooding, dangerous river and stream overflows and flooding, landslides, and tree falls that could endanger public health, safety, and property.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 2026 El Niño has a greater than 80% chance of eclipsing all such El Niño weather patterns since 1950 as it continues to strengthen through the 2026 Fall Season (Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/el-nino-record-strong-22466068.php). Past El Niño weather patterns have caused storm damage, and localized flooding to San Leandro. The potential for such a significant El Niño and its damaging effects caused California Governor Gavin Newsom to proclaim a state of emergency on September 21, 2026 (https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ATTESTED_Super-El-Nino-SOE-9-21-26.pdf) to put California in a stronger position before winter weather intensifies. The Governor’s declaration directs state agencies to begin protecting vulnerable communities, prepare roads and critical infrastructure, stage emergency supplies, and help local partners reduce flood, landslide, and coastal risks.
Other cities and towns in California are following the Governor’s action by declaring their own local emergencies / threats of emergency conditions in accordance with State and local laws. The City Manager requests that the City Council, while in session on Monday November 2, 2026, ratify the proclamation of a local emergency.
The proclamation of a local emergency allows the City to ensure the availability of mutual aid, to execute on existing and currently in development plans to put San Leandro in a stronger position before winter weather intensifies, including the preventative maintenance of City trees, which will reduce the likelihood of tree damage to power lines, buildings, and vehicles while reducing the risk of human injury. Additionally, the proclamation will allow the City to prepare streets, roads, storm drains, sewers, the Water Pollution Control Plant, the Shoreline Area, and other critical infrastructure, while also allowing the City to update, stage, and purchase emergency supplies. These efforts and purchases will help reduce flood, landslide, and shoreline risks to life and property.
Emergency Operations planning continues at a quick and thoughtful pace in preparation for the 2026 El Niño weather pattern, and the already occurring king tides. The City Manager’s Emergency Operations Specialist, Public Works Department, Police Department, and Alameda County Fire Department are meeting to plan for the 2026 El Niño. The Director of Emergency Services plans to run a test EOC activation in the coming weeks with City Department Heads and staff.
The City of San Leandro Municipal Code Section 3-4-124(c) requires the City Council review the need for continuing the local emergency at every regular meeting until the local emergency terminates, and shall proclaim the termination of the local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.
ATTACHMENT
A: Proclamation of Threat of Local Emergency
PREPARED BY: Eric Engelbart, Deputy City Manager