Overview
- County emergency managers briefed the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors on Tuesday about the developing El Niño and the need to move from forecasting to active preparedness.
- Los Angeles County Public Works has ordered inspections and clearing of storm drains, debris basins and dams with a target to finish key infrastructure work by Oct. 15.
- Officials set a countywide El Niño response exercise for Sept. 13 to test communications, shelter plans and gaps in flood and mudflow response near recent burn scars.
- National and regional forecasters, including NOAA and the South African Weather Service, now characterize the event as likely very strong or 'super' because of record sea‑surface and subsurface heat.
- South African agencies warn of below‑normal summer rainfall, higher temperatures and crop and livestock stress, and they are advising farmers to adopt water‑saving and soil‑conserving practices.