Title
a. Receive a presentation on El Niño from the National Weather Service (NWS) and a presentation on winter storm preparation from the Department of Emergency Management, Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks, and the Water Resources Agency; and
b. Adopt a resolution proclaiming a Local Emergency for the 2026-2027 El Niño Event; and
c. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Department of Emergency Management’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations $297,104 (1001-104002-61000), financed by a decrease in contingencies (1001-105011), to replenish the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) budget ahead of the El Niño winter (4/5ths vote required); and
d. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Contingency’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations $107,000 (1001-105011-73000) financed by a decrease in contingencies appropriations (1001-105011-76000); and
e. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Monterey County Water Resources Agency’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations $107,000 (1501-930001-61905) financed by an operating transfer in from contingencies (1001-105011), for ALERT Flood Warning System repairs and upgrades ahead of the El Niño winter (4/5ths vote required); and
f. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to transfer $107,000 from the General Fund Contingencies 1001, Unit 105011, to Water Resources Agency 1501, Unit 930001; and
g. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations $265,000 (1001-320068-61000), financed by a decrease in contingencies (1001-105011), for Carmel Lagoon sandbar management (4/5ths vote required); and
h. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation on El Niño from the National Weather Service (NWS) and a presentation on winter storm preparation from the Department of Emergency Management, Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks, and the Water Resources Agency; and
b. Adopt a resolution proclaiming a Local Emergency for the 2026-2027 El Niño Event; and
c. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Department of Emergency Management’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations $297,104 (1001-104002-61000), financed by a decrease in contingencies (1001-105011), to replenish the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) budget ahead of the El Niño winter (4/5ths vote required); and
d. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Contingency’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations $107,000 (1001-105011-73000) financed by a decrease in contingencies appropriations (1001-105011-76000); and
e. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Monterey County Water Resources Agency’s FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations $107,000 (1501-930001-61905) financed by an operating transfer in from contingencies (1001-105011), for ALERT Flood Warning System repairs and upgrades ahead of the El Niño winter (4/5ths vote required); and
f. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to transfer $107,000 from the General Fund Contingencies 1001, Unit 105011, to Water Resources Agency 1501, Unit 930001; and
g. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations $265,000 (1001-320068-61000), financed by a decrease in contingencies (1001-105011), for Carmel Lagoon sandbar management (4/5ths vote required); and
h. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
On September 21, 2026, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a state of emergency statewide due to the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event. The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecasted a very high likelihood (98% chance) of a very strong El Niño event this winter, including a high likelihood (75% chance) of a historic event that would exceed the strength of previous El Niño events dating back to 1950.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey is vulnerable to a range of hazards associated with severe winter weather, including heavy rainfall, high winds, thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, coastal erosion, levee failure, and post-wildfire debris flows. These hazards can produce cascading impacts to life safety, property, transportation, utilities, agriculture, environmental resources, and the delivery of essential government and emergency services. El Niño conditions can increase the potential for severe winter storms affecting the County.
The ongoing Timber and Plaskett fires in coastal watersheds in the County along with the high probability of a very strong El Nino event this winter create a heightened flood and debris flow risk in the burn scars. Highway 1 and other critical infrastructure remain at significant risk of severe post-wildfire damage. A Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) and a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessments are in progress. These assessments will assist the County in identifying needed post-wildfire mitigation to protect values at risk.
The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (WRA) owns and operates a countywide ALERT Flood Warning system, which provides vital information regarding hydrologic conditions. Three ALERT sites were damaged by the Timber and Plaskett fires and given the critical nature of these sites, the Agency must replace all equipment that has been exposed to high heat or direct flame before winter to ensure reliability. The estimated repair cost is $50,000. WRA is also proposing to purchase three temporary ALERT monitoring sites to place in the watersheds at increased risk of debris flows this winter. The estimated cost for three new sites is $30,000. Additionally, given the elevated risk associated with this winter, WRA is seeking assistance to replace two aging remote flood warning system radio repeaters and one base station receiver at the Monterey County Emergency Communications Center to ensure system reliability this winter. The estimated cost is $27,000. Having redundant repeater equipment will allow MCWRA flood warning staff to quickly restore system operability this winter and reduce down time of critical hydrologic data feeds in the event of a system outage.
The Carmel River Lagoon sandbar management is performed annually under the County’s 2013 MOU with the USACE and the NMFS regarding flood prevention and habitat protection at the lagoon, approved by the County Board of Supervisors on June 11, 2013. State and federal Resource Agency permits, such as the long-term USACE permit issued in 2020 - a five-year Department of the Army permit (Permit No. 196-19089S) and a ten-year NMFS Biological Opinion (WCRO-2013-00009) - provide the County with the authority and interim parameters to conduct annual sandbar management during the winter months while all parties work toward a permanent solution. Additional required State permits include California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) 401 certification, a California Coastal Commission (CCC) Emergency Coastal Development Permit, and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Lake or Streambed Alteration permit. This work is needed to prevent flooding of homes and infrastructure surrounding the lagoon. Activities include basic flood-protection measures, mechanical sandbar management, and required biological and regulatory monitoring. These costs are not eligible for Road Fund support and have increased due to increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. Without these annual actions, the surrounding residential community of the 4th Addition (in District 5) would be at substantial risk of flooding and associated property damage. This was brought forward as a Budget Augmentation Request for FY 27 but was not approved. The amount estimated for this work is $265,000.
The potential impacts of severe winter storms extend beyond the immediate effects of precipitation and wind and may result in conditions that threaten life safety, damage public and private property, disrupt critical infrastructure and essential services, isolate communities, and significantly impair the County's ability to respond to and recover from an emergency. Pursuant to the Government Code (section 8630 and sequence), the County may declare a local emergency. Due to the Governor’s September 21 emergency order, several local governments have adopted local proclamations to prepare for this year’s El Niño event. This proclamation will allow departments to assess, assist, and monitor efforts to prepare for the weather events. It is anticipated that once the rain begins, staff will seek to broaden the emergency powers authorized to County staff in order to respond to an imminent emergency.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Emergency Management, Public Works, Facilities, and Parks (PWFP), the Water Resource Agency, the County Administrative Office, and County Counsel assisted in the drafting of this resolution. The Office of County Counsel approved the same as to form.
FINANCING:
Emergency response expenditures related to the Timber and Plaskett fires have reduced the Department of Emergency Management’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) reserve budget by $297,104 which will limit the ability of the EOC to prepare for and respond to anticipated winter storms. Replenishment of the affected reserve funds will ensure continued operational readiness for future emergencies. Sandbar management activities required at the Carmel River Lagoon State Beach by the Public Works, Facilities, and Parks staff to protect health and safety is estimated at $265,000. The Water Resources Agency has estimated a total cost of $107,000 for all items currently proposed for the ALERT Flood Warning System ($50,000 for repairs, $30,000 for new ALERT Stations, and $27,000 for system upgrades).
As the winter is fast approaching, preparedness and procurement activities need to begin immediately. Due to the exigent nature of these requests, staff recommends funding these items through General fund contingencies and then taking these items to the Measure AA Committee in December to retroactively reimburse the General fund contingencies.
The County is seeking a Governor’s State of Emergency and California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funding for the Timber and Plaskett Fires. If approved, CDAA funding could reimburse the EOC expenditures related to the fires, as well as the WRA Alert Station repairs and new stations to monitor the burn scars ($80,000). If approved, the remaining contingency balance for FY27 will be $5,160,614.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
_X_ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
_X_ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
_X_ Administrative: Monterey County Corde of Ordinances, Title 2 - Administration, Chapter 2.68- Emergency Procedures and Organization, Section 2.68.025 - Local Emergency Proclamation
Link to the Strategic Plan:
<https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showdocument?id=139569>
Prepared by: Shane Eben Strong, Deputy County Counsel, x5045
Prepared by: Laura Emmons, Emergency Services Manager, x1992
Approved by: Kelsey Scanlon, Director of Emergency Management, x1902
Approved by: Michael Beaton, Assistant County Administrative Officer, x3835
Attachments:
Attachment A: Resolution proclaiming El Niño Emergency
Attachment B: Draft Resolution