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(Malibu, CA) — October 7, 2026 — The Malibu 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.
“Malibu has experienced the serious impacts of powerful storms, including during El Niño years before, so we know how serious they are,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein. “El Niño’s impacts are already being felt. We are taking action now to be prepared so we can keep our community safe.”
The emergency declarationis a preventive measure based on threatened conditions of extreme peril. It 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.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center issued an advisory on September 10 stating that El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during fall and winter 2026-2027, and a 75% chance of a historic event exceeding the strength of previous El Niño events dating back to 1950. The City’s declaration notes that while the precise impacts cannot yet be known, these conditions are historically associated with increased risks of intense rainstorms, flooding, mudslides, landslides, coastal erosion and coastal flooding.
The declaration authorizes the City Director of Emergency Services to address impacts and conditions caused by the emergency and obtain assistance from local, county, state, and federal agencies. The declaration will remain 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.
The City has been preparing for the 2026-2027 storm season since early summer and will continue monitoring weather forecasts and conditions, coordinating with partner agencies and taking steps to protect public safety and critical infrastructure.
For more information, visit the City's El Niño preparedness webpage at: www.MalibuCity.org/ElNino.
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