Sonoma County speeds up flood preparations as El Niño strengthens

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- With climatologists forecasting a powerful El Niño pattern that is expected to continue strengthening through the winter, emergency officials in Sonoma County are ramping up preparations and fast-tracking response plans in anticipation of possible flooding and severe storms.

Inside a busy emergency management warehouse, county workers are organizing supplies and equipment that could be deployed to shelters and flood-stricken communities at a moment's notice.

"Those are portable showers. We can set up at any shelter," said Steve Azevedo of the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management while showcasing some of the resources being staged for winter emergencies.

The county has also assembled hundreds of storm assistance kits that are ready for immediate deployment.

"These are ready to go right now," said Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management spokesperson Karen Hancock.

The kits include protective gear and cleanup supplies for residents dealing with flood damage.

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"We have PPE, goggles, scrub brush, sanitizer and bleach," Hancock said.

This week, Sonoma County declared a local state of emergency, following Governor Gavin Newsom's emergency declaration aimed at helping communities prepare for potential El Niño impacts.

"It allows our county to come together and prioritize projects to get the county ready for El Niño," Hancock said.

Local leaders say preparation is essential as forecasts continue to point toward a potentially significant winter weather season.

"Anything we can do to prepare ahead of time. They say El Niño will be drastic this year," said Cotati Mayor Sylvia Lemus.

ABC7 Eyewitness News Meteorologist Drew Tuma says the latest outlook from the Climate Prediction Center indicates increasing confidence in a historic El Niño event.

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"The latest, which came this morning, they're giving it a 70% chance that we will see a historic El Niño event, beating any record we have," Tuma said.

While forecasters cannot predict exactly where the heaviest storms will hit, the overall outlook favors a wetter-than-normal winter across California.

"The odds continue to favor a wetter than normal winter across the entire state," Tuma said.

State officials say they are positioning resources ahead of anticipated storms, including swift-water rescue boats and emergency equipment for first responders.

"We're looking at where we can make sure we have the right equipment and supplies, and have a quick reaction for any forecasted storms," said Caroline Thomas Jacobs, director of the California Office of Emergency Services.

As winter approaches, Sonoma County emergency officials are encouraging residents to prepare now by reviewing emergency plans, stocking emergency supplies and staying informed about changing weather conditions.