Sonoma Co. declares emergency as forecasters warn of strong El Niño

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. -- Sonoma County officials are stepping up preparations for a potentially wet winter, declaring an emergency Tuesday as forecasters warn that a strong El Niño could bring unusually heavy rain.

The Board of Supervisors proclaimed the emergency as the county prepares for a season that could bring flooding, mudslides and other storm-related problems.

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The action comes two weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide emergency proclamation, saying the anticipated impacts could require resources from multiple jurisdictions and mutual aid regions.

Forecasters put the chance of El Niño reaching historic levels this winter at 75%, according to the county.

"The best time to prepare for a flood is before a storm," Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said in a statement released by the county.

County crews are already clearing culverts and flood-control channels and checking roads and other areas that have flooded or experienced slides in the past. Crews are also staging sandbags, barricades and other equipment.

Emergency managers are preparing for increased staffing and emergency operations, while rainfall, stream and reservoir monitoring systems are being readied for the winter.

The emergency proclamation directs county departments, Sonoma Water and sanitation districts to create a prioritized list of threatened or vulnerable infrastructure. It also calls for coordination with cities, special districts, tribal partners and state emergency managers.