California declares emergency as record El Niño threatens global food and local infrastructure

Key points

• Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency on September 21, 2026, to mobilize resources, stage flood-fighting supplies, and streamline procurement for infrastructure protection.
• NOAA predicts a 98% chance of a 'very strong' El Niño for the three-month period ending in December, with a 75% chance it will be the strongest on record since 1950.
• Los Angeles and L.A. County are actively removing sediment from reservoirs like San Gabriel and Devil’s Gate to maximize water capacity and reduce flood risks.
• International experts warn that the El Niño is causing severe droughts in Southeast Asia, threatening rice and palm oil supplies, and could push 49 million more people into acute food insecurity by 2027.
• Residents are advised to prepare for heavy rains by checking drainage systems, securing trees, updating insurance policies, and packing emergency kits, as the event may bring repeated rounds of heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding.

Background

This development follows earlier warnings in August and September 2026 that a super El Niño was setting the stage for a wetter winter in California, with specific concerns about snowfall in the Sierra Nevada and potential coastal erosion. The current emergency declaration marks a shift from forecasting to active, state-level resource mobilization.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times and California State Portal emphasize the immediate domestic risks, focusing on flood control, infrastructure hardening, and public safety measures in Southern California. In contrast, the Associated Press (via WLFI) highlights the global impact, noting that while California faces flooding, Southeast Asia is experiencing severe droughts that threaten food security and energy stability. The Post Independent offers a regional nuance for Colorado, suggesting that while the El Niño may bring above-average precipitation early in the winter, the snow may not persist through the season, complicating long-term water supply predictions.

Why it matters

The potential for a record-breaking El Niño represents a dual threat: immediate physical danger to infrastructure and residents in the U.S. through flooding and landslides, and a broader global economic and humanitarian crisis through disrupted agricultural cycles and food shortages. The state of emergency declaration signals that the U.S. is treating this as a critical, high-priority event requiring immediate resource allocation.

What to watch

State agencies will continue to stage emergency supplies and fast-track permitting for flood protection. Residents are expected to complete home and vehicle preparations before the peak of the El Niño in December. Globally, governments in Asia will continue to monitor water levels and agricultural yields, with potential price spikes in global food commodities expected if droughts persist.