October 16, 2026
The governor of California, USA, Gavin Newsom, declared a state of emergency in California on September 21 to tackle the effects of El Niño, which have already started to impact several regions. Forecasters have indicated the possibility of this year’s El Niño being the strongest El Niño ever recorded. The El Niño phenomenon influences weather and can lead to forest fires, storms, droughts and floods, which can have a severe impact on infrastructure, ecosystems, communities and economies. The statewide emergency in California aims to keep authorities prepared to carry out relief operations, manage resources and support communities, aiming to tackle the impacts of intense weather events that could potentially occur in the coming winter months.
Watch this video to learn about El Niño
