San Diego Issues Warning to Locals Ahead of 'Super El Nino'

San Diego officials say this winter's "Super El Nino" could be a whopper, and they want residents to start acting like it. At a Balboa Park briefing on Tuesday with almost every major city department present, leaders warned that neighborhoods that flooded in January 2024 should brace for similar or worse conditions and start planning now, per the Times of San Diego. "You do your part. We do ours," said Mayor Todd Gloria. The Los Angeles Times notes there's a 95% chance of a Super El Nino developing this year.

The city has ramped up stormwater maintenance, prepped rescue equipment, reorganized emergency management under the Fire-Rescue Department, and launched a dedicated El Nino website, per the Times. The San Diego Union-Tribune notes that the city will also be sending out upward of 7,000 mailers within the next few weeks to locals in high-risk zones with info on flooding and flood insurance. With an aging system and a multibillion-dollar funding gap, officials admit some areas will flood if heavy rains hit, per the Times. Residents are urged to check FEMA flood maps, assemble three days' worth of supplies, map out evacuation routes, sign up for emergency alerts, and check on neighbors.