San Diego County launched an El Niño preparedness hub on Friday, Sept. 25, consolidating flood maps, sandbag locations and emergency alerts on one site.

State officials say there is a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter. Some forecast models predict the developing pattern could be the largest in the roughly 150-year observational record, KPBS reported.

Del Mar faces particular risk. The City Council adopted a local emergency declaration on Tuesday, Sept. 22, citing heavy sand accumulation in the San Dieguito Lagoon. The city is asking the Army Corps of Engineers to allow removal of up to 50,000 cubic yards of sand per dredge event, more than triple the existing 16,000-cubic-yard limit. As we reported Sept. 23, the lagoon's condition has become an urgent concern ahead of winter storms.

Del Mar lifeguards are refreshing swift-water rescue training. The city's Public Works Department plans to stage sandbags at nearly three dozen flood-prone locations when storms approach.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide state of emergency on Monday, Sept. 21, and called in the California National Guard. The declaration directs the Coastal Commission to act on emergency permit applications within 24 hours in some cases, which could speed Del Mar's lagoon dredging request.

The new hub, built on the Alert San Diego platform, links to emergency alert registration, real-time National Weather Service data and the County's Know Your Hazards mapping tool, according to the County News Center. Free sand and sandbags are available at nearly 40 County and CAL FIRE stations listed on the site.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the region is coordinating across agencies. "I encourage every San Diegan to take steps now to prepare their homes and families for severe weather," Gloria said, as reported by KPBS.

The County Board of Supervisors directed staff on Sept. 15 to develop a countywide severe weather preparedness strategy. Supervisors asked for a follow-up plan by Oct. 6 focused on unincorporated communities hit hard by the January 2024 floods.

More than 1,200 County employees hold dedicated emergency roles. County Public Works operates 13 maintenance stations providing 24/7 storm response across nearly 2,000 miles of roads.

The hub lists potential impacts for coastal communities: heavy rain, flooding in low-lying areas, mudslides, coastal erosion, road closures and power outages.

UCSD's Scripps Institution of Oceanography will hold a public town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Scripps Seaside Forum, 8606 Kennel Way, La Jolla, starting at 3:30 p.m. For storm-related road issues, call 877-684-8000.