Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency Monday, Sept. 21, to get communities and emergency crews ready before winter storms arrive. • 📊 THE FORECAST: NOAA projects a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter—and a 75% chance it could become the strongest recorded since 1950 during October–December. • 📍 L.A. & SOCAL: Potential risks include heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, landslides and debris flows. Coastal communities could face erosion and dangerous surf, with large waves a concern in November and December. Mountain snow is also a statewide risk. • 🚧 STATE PREPARATIONS: Agencies are staging sandbags, pumps and road equipment. The National Guard is preparing to assist as needed, and multilingual safety outreach is expanding. • 📲 PREPARE NOW: Clear gutters and drains, check your flood risk, sign up for local emergency alerts and make an evacuation plan. Never drive through floodwater. ⚠️ These are seasonal risks. Exact storm timing and neigh...