Orange County cities are intensifying preparations for what experts describe as a Super El Niño season, with forecasts indicating high tides and heavy rainfall extending through March. As of Monday, rain was anticipated for the upcoming weekend, including Halloween Saturday. Coastal municipalities are directing efforts toward armoring beaches with berms and clearing drainage systems. Across the county, officials have already declared states of emergency following recent tropical storms and a hurricane that caused coastal erosion and property damage.
In San Clemente, the City Council voted unanimously at its October 20 meeting to extend an existing emergency declaration related to Hurricane Marie in September and to issue a new declaration in response to Tropical Storm Rachel earlier this month. Community Development Director Adam Atamian stated these declarations empower city staff to continue debris removal, monitor weather and tidal conditions, and deploy protective measures such as berms and sandbags in affected zones. Atamian noted that "City departments and executive staff have been monitoring weather and tidal conditions, implementing protective measures, including sand berms and sandbagging, assessing infrastructure damage, coordinating with regional agencies, and documenting emergency response and recovery costs." The city also recently contended with a 570-acre wildfire, fueled by dry vegetation and Santa Ana winds. In the period between the fire and subsequent storms, crews focused on clearing drains and placing sandbags around the burn scar area to mitigate debris runoff into drainage systems and prevent mudslides. Atamian emphasized at the October 20 council meeting that the coordinated emergency management efforts across city departments during these events would bolster preparedness for the anticipated El Niño season.
Dana Point officials also declared a state of emergency following Tropical Storm Rachel and sustained their emergency declaration related to Hurricane Marie. These declarations are specifically localized to Beach Road within the Capo Bay district, rather than being citywide. The emergency status, according to a staff report, enables the city to acquire necessary resources without undergoing a competitive bidding process and allows for the implementation of a curfew if conditions necessitate it. These actions follow significant rainfall that resulted in nearly two dozen homes in the city receiving red or yellow tags. City Clerk Shayna Sharke reported on October 19 that the city had identified 10 red-tagged properties, deemed unsafe to enter, and 13 yellow-tagged properties with concerning damage. Two of these structures had already been demolished, with one additional demolition pending. Officials advise residents to secure outdoor furniture, take down umbrellas, and inspect roofs as the weather system progresses. Sharke also noted that residents can obtain 10 filled sandbags from the city to aid in home protection, and crews are actively removing debris and maintaining drains in preparation for future storms. At a Tuesday meeting, Sharke affirmed that "The city is working hard to prepare for any potential emergencies that result from El Niño, as well as any other named coastal storms that come up." It was also noted that Dana Point does not construct sand berms, unlike cities such as Laguna Beach or Newport, because many of its beaches and coastal properties, including Doheny State Beach, are owned by the county or state.
In Yorba Linda, Principal Civil Engineer Regina Hu presented at the October 20 City Council meeting on the city’s proactive measures. These include assessing potential high-risk locations, identifying flood-prone areas, preparing emergency resources, and coordinating with the Orange County Fire Authority and the Yorba Linda Water District. The city has implemented erosion control strategies, such as staging over 20,000 sandbags along trails and slopes, clearing sites most vulnerable to rain damage, and increasing the removal, pruning, and trimming of trees and shrubbery. Hu also underscored the importance of resident preparedness, recommending that individuals stay informed through county and city alert systems, familiarize themselves with evacuation routes, plan for supplies, clear drainage areas around their properties, and discuss safety protocols with family members before rainfall. Flyers are being distributed to the city's numerous septic tank homeowners to provide guidance on protecting their systems. Residents can acquire sandbags on a first-come, first-served basis at local fire stations 53, 10, and 32. Post-rain, Hu cautioned residents to avoid flooded roadways and to be watchful for debris, potential hillside issues, and downed power lines or utilities. City Manager Peter Grant affirmed that the city’s public works crews consistently maintain gutters and storm drains during every rainy season. Furthermore, Hu mentioned that the city installed additional drainage raisers and catch basins following the 2008 Freeway Complex Fire, which aids in reducing debris accumulation and simplifying cleanup operations.
