DATE: October 21, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: City Manager's Office
TITLE: RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR’S PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE 2026-2027 EL NIÑO SEASON AND PRESENTATION BY STAFF
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution ratifying a Proclamation of a Local Emergency by the Director of Emergency Services due to the threat of severe weather and flooding hazards resulting from the 2026-2027 El Niño Event and receive a presentation regarding ongoing El Niño preparedness.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The City of Oceanside is preparing for the anticipated 2026-2027 El Niño season. As stated in the proclamation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center reported on August 31, 2026 that the El Niño event was strengthening, with a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong event and 69 percent chance of reaching historic strength during the winter season. The proclamation further references the Governor’s September 21, 2026 state emergency proclamation and the September 30, 2026 San Diego County emergency proclamation. These circumstances, together with recent tropical storm surges and tidal events, underscore the need for a coordinated local emergency preparedness and response.
On October 14, 2026, the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, signed a proclamation declaring the existence of a local emergency related to the 2026-2027 El Niño season. Pursuant to City Ordinance No. 73-22, the City Council must ratify the proclamation within seven (7) days or it will cease to have force or effect. Council consideration on October 21, 2026 fall within that period.
The proclamation recognizes existing conditions that have the potential to worsen during major storm activity and represent an extreme risk to persons and property. The local emergency allows the City to address current vulnerabilities before they escalate, coordinate preparedness activities, and respond promptly as conditions develop. As previously shared with City Council and the public, the City Manager convened an El Niño Working Group with representatives from Public Works, Engineering, Fire, Police, Water Utilities, and the City Manager’s Office to align infrastructure readiness, establish activation triggers for a coordinated response, and prepare communications to residents before and during storms.
Ratification will support continued emergency coordination and position the City to seek assistance through the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) under the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA), subject to applicable eligibility requirements. The proclamation is intended to address present emergency conditions and the heightened risks anticipated through early 2027.
Existing conditions requiring attention include, but are not limited to, structural deterioration and bracing concerns involving the Pier and the concrete Pier View Way Bridge. Within the San Luis Rey River, remnants of the former Pacific Street roadway crossing create a localized obstruction to river conveyance and should be removed to improve water flow. Accumulated sediment within the San Luis Rey River and Buena Vista Lagoon, along with vegetation growth within the Buena Vista Creek, also require targeted management to maintain channel capacity, reduce potential flooding impacts, and minimize impediments to emergency operations. The City is currently working with the Army Corps of Engineers on a more comprehensive flood management program for the San Luis Rey River. Additionally, maintaining reliable emergency access to the wastewater lift station and sewer transmission main near Buena Vista Creek remains a critical concern. These and other existing infrastructure vulnerabilities could be exacerbated by elevated water flows, debris accumulation, and significant storm activity associated with the anticipated El Niño season.
Ratification of the local emergency proclamation will also support the City’s ability to undertake timely, coordinated actions to mitigate potential impacts associated with the anticipated El Niño storm season. Such action may include expedited procurement and contracting for emergency protective measures, streamlined coordination with regulatory agencies to obtain necessary emergency authorization/permits, and implementation of critical infrastructure stabilization, obstruction and debris removal, and flood mitigation activities. Addressing these conditions before significant storm activity may reduce threats to public health and safety, protect critical infrastructure, and preserve access to essential City facilities and services.
FISCAL IMPACT
Specific emergency preparedness, response, and recovery costs have not yet been determined; therefore, the total fiscal impact in unknown at this time. As identified in the proclamation, assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) may potentially reimburse 75 percent of eligible City costs and activities, subject to applicable program requirements, approvals, and funding availability. Ratification does not guarantee reimbursement. Staff will evaluate and document eligible expenses as conditions and response needs develop.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
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CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Rob O’Brien, Deputy City Manager
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
Attachments:
1. Proclamation Declaring a Local Emergency
2. Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation Declaring a Local Emergency