Long Beach City Council Approves Proclamation of Local Emergency to Prepare for Potential El Niño Impacts

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - Today, the Long Beach City Council approved with a 9 to 0 vote the recommendation to adopt a resolution to ratify the City Manager's Proclamation of Local Emergency related to the result of the impacts from Hurricane Marie and the imminent and proximate threats of the developing 2026-27 El Niño weather pattern and winter storm season. The action will help the City expand preparedness measures and exercise emergency powers to respond to severe winter weather, protect residents and critical infrastructure and respond efficiently if storms cause flooding, coastal impacts, landslides or other local emergencies.

The local action follows Gov. Gavin Newsom's Sept. 21 2026, State of Emergency proclamation to strengthen statewide preparedness and direct State agencies to take early actions to protect vulnerable communities, critical infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. This action recognizes the potential for significant impacts associated with what state officials describe as a potentially historic El Niño season.

"Long Beach is acting early so our residents, neighborhoods and critical infrastructure are as prepared as possible before severe weather arrives," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "The proclamation gives our City the flexibility to coordinate resources, support vulnerable communities and respond quickly as conditions change."

"We are asking the entire community to take this storm season seriously. Preparation is essential when forecasts point to the possibility of significant winter storms," said City Manager Tom Modica. "This action will help City departments plan and deploy resources efficiently, maintain essential services and work with our regional and state partners to respond to a historic level of potential storm damage that may occur throughout the City and along the coast."

Proclamation Details and Rationale
While the City has already initiated preparedness activities for the winter season, the City Manager has determined that emergency preparedness measures are warranted due to the anticipated conditions, the recent storm impacts experienced by Long Beach from Hurricane Marie, and the potential for impacts that may exceed the City's normal day-to-day operational capabilities.

The proclamation supports the City's ability to rapidly identify, procure, stage and pre-position equipment, supplies, materials, services, personnel and other resources; enter into necessary agreements and contracts; coordinate preparedness and mitigation activites; and work with neighboring jurisdictions, regional agencies, Los Angeles County, the State (including California Coastal Commission), federal agencies, utility providers, transportation agencies and other public and private partners. The authorities will allow the City to respond more quickly as conditions develop and help protect life, property, critical infrastructure and essential City services.

Long Beach is particularly vulnerable to coastal and storm-related hazards because of its coastline, beaches, waterways, marinas, low-lying areas and proximity to Alamitos Bay, the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers and other flood-prone channels. The City is taking early action to prepare for potential impacts that could include heavy rainfall, strong winds, high surf, large waves, coastal and localized flooding, erosion, transportation disruptions, power outages, damage to homes and critical infrastructure, and interruptions to essential services.

The City has initiated winter-season preparedness activities, including enhanced interdepartmental coordination, weather monitoring, infrastructure preparation, emergency communications planning and coordination with local, regional, County, State and other partners. The City will continue to monitor conditions and adjust preparedness and operations as warranted.

The local emergency will remain in effect subject to the review requirements of applicable State law and the Long Beach Municipal Code and will be terminated at the earliest possible date when conditions warrant.

Recent Coastal Impacts, Response and Ongoing Preparedness
The proclamation is forward-looking and is intended to help the City prepare for future storm impacts.

As a result of Hurricane Marie, Long Beach experienced significant coastal impacts and damage to public property on the Peninsula. High surf and large waves overtopped portions of the Peninsula, allowed seawater to enter homes and damaged portions of the boardwalk and other coastal structures. The City undertook extensive preparedness and response activities. City crews rapidly constructed and reinforced protective sand berms; moved and back-passed sand; addressed drainage and standing water; distributed sandbags; inspected impacted areas; conducted emergency repairs and public safety operations; and coordinated among multiple departments and outside agencies. These recent conditions demonstrated both the City's exposure to significant coastal hazards and climate change, as well as the importance of being able to quickly mobilize resources when severe storms develop.

The estimated costs associated with the El Niño storm season are currently unknown. Current City costs are being covered by existing appropriations. As additional costs become known, staff will pursue State and Federal reimbursement for damage caused by coastal erosion and wave action, although reimbursement is expected to be limited. A report on the City's response to Hurricane Marie, including costs to date, and engineering assessments to rebuild the boardwalk and repair the bulkhead, in addition to short, medium and longer term efforts to address potential storm activity will be available within the next week.

Importance of Community Preparedness
While this proclamation allows the City the flexibility to coordinate resources, support vulnerable communities and respond quickly as conditions change, as well as more efficiently use the plans and systems it has in place, the City is emphasizing the need for residents to do their part by preparing now for the historic El Niño activity expected later this year. Emergency preparedness resources are available on the City's Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications website, and the community is strongly encouraged to sign up for alerts through Alert Long Beach. More information can also be found here.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

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