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The governor of California declared a state of emergency on Monday in anticipation of what is expected to be a damaging El Niño phenomenon, as the U.S. West Coast prepares for its arrival.
Meteorologists point out that over the coming months, this weather pattern could bring powerful and destructive storms to the region, with the threat of higher-than-normal tides that could lead to coastal flooding.
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The state of emergency in California "is about providing communities the support they need, giving emergency teams the tools to do their jobs, and giving families the confidence that their state is prepared," stated Governor Gavin Newsom.
"We are preparing for this El Niño phenomenon in advance because every Californian deserves to be safe in their home," he added.
Newsom's declaration aims to make it easier for state agencies to access resources, as well as to pre-position supplies to combat flooding.
It also prepares the California National Guard to support flood response, search and rescue, engineering, and logistics missions when necessary, according to authorities.
El Niño occurs every two to seven years when trade winds—currents that flow from east to west and normally hold warm waters in the western Pacific—temporarily weaken.
This causes those waters to rise to the surface and move eastward.
When temperatures remain above normal for several months, more storms are generated in the region, which impacts the atmosphere.
As a result, the climate becomes warmer and drier in some places, and wetter in others.
Human-caused climate change amplifies the effects of El Niño, experts agree.
Storms have hit the California coast, with reports of homes damaged and even destroyed.
[Publicidad]