Title
Receive a report on the potential impacts of 2015-16 winter storm and El Ni?o forecasts and the emergency preparedness efforts by Monterey County. (ADDED VIA ADDENDUM)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors receive a report on the potential impacts of 2015-16 winter storm and El Ni?o forecasts and the emergency preparedness efforts by Monterey County.
SUMMARY:
The report describes the activities of various County departments in preparation for possible winter storms and flooding and provides information on current winter predictions as a result of a strong El Ni?o event in the Pacific Equator region.
DISCUSSION:
A strong El Ni?o event is occurring in the Pacific tropical equator with significant warming of the equatorial waters. These warm water have extended far along the North American coast lines. Most models indicate that a strong El Ni?o will continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter 2015-16, followed by weakening during the late spring or early summer. The National Weather Service forecaster consensus remains nearly unchanged, with the expectation that this El Ni?o could rank among the top three strongest episodes going back to 1950.
The winters of 1997/98 and 1982/83 were the largest and strongest El Ni?os of the twentieth century. El Ni?o is not a weather system itself but it has a great influence on our winter weather patterns. Winter storms, caused by "atmospheric rivers of concentrated precipitation" are enhanced by the El Ni?o warm waters.
In response to the strengthening El Ni?o event, county departments have convened an internal task force to coordinate planning and response activities. These departments include representatives from the County Administrative Office (CAO); Office of Emergency Services (OES), Resource Management Agency (RMA); Health; Social Services; and the Monterey County Sheriff Office. The San Francisco-Monterey Bay Office of the National Weather Service are al...
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