City of West Hollywood Shares El Niño and Storm Preparedness Tips for the 2026-27 Winter Season

The City of West Hollywood is preparing for the possibility of significant storms during the 2026-27 El Niño season and is encouraging community members to take steps now to prepare.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern involving warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the Pacific that can increase the potential for heavier rain and back-to-back storms in Southern California. While a wet winter is not guaranteed, the potential for significant storms is elevated. Los Angeles County notes that storm season typically begins in mid-October and continues through early spring.

The City is taking a coordinated, cross-departmental approach to winter storm preparedness. Departments and Divisions across the City are assessing operations and taking proactive steps to prepare City infrastructure, maintain essential services, provide clear and timely information to the community, and ensure the City is ready to respond as conditions develop. As part of this, the City has launched storm preparedness information and tips at www.weho.org/elnino and www.weho.org/stormpreparedness.

West Hollywood community members are encouraged to prepare now by:

• Signing up for emergency alerts and following @wehocity on social media for local updates;
• Making an emergency plan for household members, including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets;
• Building an emergency supply kit with water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, phone chargers, and other necessities;
• Cleaning gutters, downspouts, drains, and other areas where water may collect, and addressing roof leaks or other maintenance concerns;
• Considering flood insurance and becoming familiar with potential flood, mudflow, and debris-flow risks;
• Keeping identification, insurance information, medication information, emergency contacts, and other important documents in a safe and accessible location; and
• Preparing enough essential supplies to last for as long as 10 days.

West Hollywood businesses are also encouraged to review emergency and business-continuity plans, ensure employee and vendor contact information is current, consider how operations could continue during power outages or street closures, check set-ups for outdoor areas, protect important records and equipment, sign-up for updates, and plan for communicating with employees and customers if operations are disrupted.

Preparedness is a community effort. The City encourages community members to check in with neighbors, friends, older adults, people with disabilities, and others who may need additional assistance preparing for or recovering from severe weather. During severe weather, community members should pay attention to official forecasts, emergency alerts, road closures, and instructions from public safety personnel. Avoid flooded streets, intersections, and low-lying areas, and never drive or walk through a flooded roadway. Stay away from downed power lines and watch for falling trees and limbs, mud and debris flows, and rapidly rising water. Drivers should allow additional time for travel and obey all barricades and temporary street closures. Additional emergency preparedness guidance and storm-related resources are also available at ready.lacounty.gov.

When severe weather arrives, stay informed and pay attention to official forecasts, emergency alerts, road closures, and instructions from public safety personnel. The City will use its website, social media channels, and, when appropriate during emergencies, Everbridge/Nixle alerts to provide information to the community before and during severe weather events. Community members can sign up for Los Angeles County emergency notifications at ready.lacounty.gov and can opt in to local Everbridge/Nixle alerts by texting a ZIP code to 888777.

When storm conditions emerge, the City will offer limited supplies of free sand-filled sandbags to West Hollywood residents and businesses to help direct flowing water away from structures. Details will be provided in @wehocity social media and on storm preparedness information website pages.

The City will work with community partners and service providers to help maintain critical services and support community members who may be particularly vulnerable during severe weather. The City's Human Services Division connects community members with programs and resources that support health, housing stability, wellness, safety, and overall well-being. Services include food and nutrition assistance, behavioral health resources, and services for older adults and people with disabilities. Community members affected by El Niño who need assistance identifying available resources or support are encouraged to contact the Human Services Division via the City's Human Services webpage at www.weho.org/humanservices or by calling (323) 848-6510.

For storm preparedness information and tips, visit www.weho.org/elnino or www.weho.org/stormpreparedness. Stay tuned to @wehocity for timely information.

The City of West Hollywood will be available to support community members with storm preparedness questions and concerns. Residents in need of assistance may email [email protected], and businesses may email [email protected]. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City's calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. Receive text updates by texting "WeHo" to (323) 848-5000. Read feature articles about people, places, and City events at www.helloweho.com. City programs and services information is available at www.weho.org.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood's Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or [email protected].