El Niño

What is an El Niño?

Near the end of each calendar year, ocean surface temperatures warm along the coasts of Ecuador and northern Peru. In the past, local residents referred to this annual warming as “El Niño,” meaning “The Child,” due to its appearance around the Christmas season. The appearance of El Nino signified the end of the fishing season and the arrival of the time for Peruvian fishermen to repair their nets and maintain their boats. Every two to seven years a much stronger warming appears along the west coast of South America, lasting for several months and often accompanied by heavy rainfall in the arid coastal regions of Ecuador and northern Peru. Over time the term El Nino began to be used in reference to these major warm episodes. During the 1960s, scientists began to link the abnormally warm waters along the west coast of South America with abnormally warm waters throughout the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. In addition, the warmer than average waters were shown to be closely related to a global atmospheric pressure oscillation known as the Southern Oscillation. The term El Nino refers to the coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon characterized by: 

  • Abnormally warm sea surface temperatures from the date line (180W) east to the South American coast
  • Changes in the distribution of tropical rainfall from the eastern Indian Ocean east to the tropical Atlantic
  • Changes in sea level pressure throughout the global Tropics
  • Large-scale atmospheric circulation changes in the Tropics and portions of the extra-tropics in both hemispheres

Source


What does this mean for Malibu?

Malibu may experience a range of impacts associated with increased rainfall and storm activity. High-intensity rainfall could lead to localized flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and locations with limited drainage capacity. The increased rainfall may also raise the risk of mudslides and debris flows, especially in areas with steep terrain or previously burned or destabilized hillsides.

Along the coast, Malibu could experience additional impacts, including increased coastal erosion and periods of elevated water levels during high tides and storm events. These conditions may affect beach access, coastal properties, and infrastructure near the shoreline.

Heavy rainfall and flooding may also impact transportation throughout Malibu, potentially resulting in road closures, hazardous driving conditions, and damage to roadways. In addition, severe weather and flooding could disrupt utilities, including electrical, water, wastewater, and communications infrastructure. The severity of these impacts will depend on the strength and timing of individual storms, as well as local conditions across Malibu.

El Niño Panel Discussion With Partner Agencies from October 27, 2026


El Niño Panel Discussion from September 29, 2026

What can I do to get prepared?

  1. During the Rain
  2. After the Rain

PErsonal and Family Preparedness

Steps to Preparedness

1. Have a plan

Help keep your family safe by developing a family emergency plan. Your plan should include every member of your household – including pets

  • Learns hazards in your area
  • Identify meeting places
  • Select your out of area contact
  • Know evacuation routes and terminology (Evacuation Order, Evacuation Warning, Shelter in Place)
  • Know the location of utility shutoffs
  • Know emergency policies of schools and care centers
  • Identify safe spots in each room to take cover
  • Extra medications
  • Make special provisions for children, seniors, pets, access and function needs, and non-English speakers
  • Schedule annual disaster drills

2. Build a go-bag

An emergency go-bag is an essential piece when preparing for a disaster. A go-bag should contain vital items that are needed in the event you have to evacuate quickly or are relocated. It is important to keep your bag in a quick and accessible area as you may need to evacuate quickly. Go-bags can be tailored to your household and specific needs. Here are 10 items that you can include in your go-bag to prepare for an El Nino: 

  • Water
  • Food
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlights, batteries and phone chargers
  • Solar/hand-crank radio/NOAA weather radio
  • Medications (prescription, tylenol/advil)
  • Cash(small bills) and important documents(in waterproof pouch)
  • Clothing/sturdy shoes (rain jackets, rain boots, extra clothing)
  • Tools
  • Hygiene supplies (toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)

3. Stay Informed

  • Sign up for the City’s emergency, traffic, and weather alerts via text or email at: Malibucity.org/News (scroll to Alert Center)
  • Sign up for Disasters Notifications at: MalibuCity.org/DisasterNotifications
  • Sign up for Emergency Alerts from LA County at: Ready.LACounty.gov/Alerts
  • Follow the City on Social Media
  • Monitor the local news using battery, solar, hand-crank radio
  • Download the PulsePoint and Watch Duty App.


Property Preparedness

  • Shoreline Property Checklist 
  • LA County Homeowner’s Guide for Flood, Debris, and Erosion Control 
  • Drains and Gutters: Visually inspect and remove debris from retaining wall drains, surface drains, culverts, and gutters prior to the storm season. Stormwater runoff should be directed into appropriate drainage control areas to avoid excessive soil saturation.  
  • Roofs: Visually inspect roofs, or hire a roofing contractor, to check for loose tiles, holes, or other signs of distress.  
  • Slopes: Inspect all sloped areas for signs of erosion gullys, surface cracks, and slumping. Inspect buildings, patios, retaining walls, and garden walls for signs of cracking or rotation, which may indicate slope movement has occurred. If signs of slope movement are observed, the property owner may consider contacting a California-licensed geologist or geotechnical engineer for a site inspection.  
  • Bare Ground: Inspect large bare areas that may be sources for mudflows during a storm event. Consider covering or vegetating bare areas prior to the storm season. Consider covering and securing mounds of loose soil or fill material. 
  • Structures: Visually inspect all structures, including seawalls, revetments, and bulkheads, for signs of distress, loss of material, obstructed drainage, or exposed reinforcing steel, prior to the storm season and after every storm. If significant problems are observed, the property owner may consider contacting a California-licensed engineer for maintenance suggestions.  

Equestrian Park Sandbags-06

  • Sandbags: Malibu residents can pick up free sandbags by providing proof of residency to local Los Angeles County Fire Stations, while supplies last. 
    • The County’s sandbag distribution location has moved from the Malibu Library parking lot to the Malibu Equestrian Center in Western Malibu, where fully assembled sandbags are available beginning October 5. The site served as a distribution point for emergency supplies and information during the Palisades Fire, and this winter’s operation expands its use as a community resource.

LA County Public Works offers engineering assistance for property owners

  • Stormwater Engineering
    • (626) 458-6164
    • Ask for engineering assistance with erosion, slope instability, and storm-related damage. This number is listed for the County's Stormwater Engineering Division and mudflow engineering advice.
  • LA County Flood Control District
    • (626) 458-4300
    • Ask to be connected with the appropriate Flood Control District engineer for Malibu and your affected watershed.

Please notify the City immediately if you notice a structural concern on your property or your neighbors property. Call (310) 456-2489 ext. 390. 

What is the City doing to be prepared?

City Council Declares Local Emergency

The City Council on September 28, 2026, declared a citywide local emergency due to the threat of extreme weather conditions associated with the forecasted 2026-2027 strong El Niño event, including flooding, mudslides, landslides, debris flows, coastal erosion and coastal flooding.

The emergency declaration is a preventive measure that provides the City with greater flexibility to respond to the emergency without delay, coordinate with local, county, state and federal agencies, and obtain resources needed to prepare for, mitigate and respond to emergency conditions. It authorizes the Director of Emergency Services (City Manager) to address impacts and conditions caused by the emergency and obtain assistance from local, county, state, and federal agencies. The declaration remains in effect until terminated by the City Council, which is required to review the need to continue the emergency declaration at least every 60 days. For details, see the press release.


  1. Phase 2
  2. Phase 3

During the City Preparation Phase, the City established an El Niño Working Group to address potential impacts and identify areas of concern. Preparation and mitigation efforts were implemented for roads and infrastructure, while coordination with partner agencies was maintained to ensure a collaborative approach. The City also monitored weather conditions throughout the season and developed a robust community education and outreach program to keep residents informed and prepared.