Solis Welcomes Board Ratification of Local Emergency Proclamation Ahead of El Niño

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ratified her local emergency proclamation for the developing 2026-27 El Niño event:

“El Niño could bring heavier rainfall, high winds, flooding, landslides, debris flows, coastal flooding and damage to roads and other critical infrastructure across Los Angeles County. We are acting now because we cannot wait for severe weather to arrive before we prepare.

The proclamation gives the County greater flexibility to move quickly, including accelerating the procurement of critical supplies, coordinating mutual aid and seeking state and federal assistance when needed.

A major storm does not stop at jurisdictional boundaries. County departments, cities, public safety agencies and our state and federal partners must be ready to work together when conditions change and the demands on our communities increase.

We also know severe weather can hit some residents harder than others. Older adults, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, low-income families and residents in flood-prone, coastal and post-fire areas may face greater risks and barriers to safety.

County departments are already preparing across flood control, roads, emergency response, public health, shelter and other critical services. Today’s ratification strengthens that work and gives the County the tools to act quickly when they are needed.

Our responsibility is to be ready before conditions worsen and to make sure Los Angeles County can respond when our residents need us most.”