State of emergency declared for all of California ahead of strong El Niño forecast

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday morning that he is declaring a state of emergency ahead of what could be the strongest El Niño on record. Newsom’s office issued a statement confirming that state resources are being mobilized before the potential winter storms and associated impacts. Under the directive, state agencies can now begin protecting vulnerable communities, preparing roads and critical infrastructure, staging emergency supplies, and helping reduce risks of flooding and landslides as well as coastal erosion.