Monterey County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct. 13, to declare a local emergency ahead of what forecasters call a potentially historic El Niño winter.

The declaration frees up additional county funds for storm response and suspends state permitting rules so crews can clear river channels and creeks faster, as first reported by KSBW. County work crews have already begun cleaning culverts and drainages earlier than usual.

The action follows Gov. Gavin Newsom's Sept. 21 statewide emergency proclamation, which directed state agencies to fast-track permitting for levee repairs, debris removal and channel improvements. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center estimates more than a 90% chance of a very strong El Niño event during fall and winter 2026–2027. The agency said there is a 69% chance the event will reach historic strength between October and December, surpassing every El Niño on record since 1950.

The stakes are high.

District 3 Supervisor Chris Lopez said the county is doing everything it can but warned residents to stay realistic.

"There's still going to be impacts. I don't want anyone to think that the preparations we're making are going to solve everything," Lopez said at the Oct. 13 meeting. "We're still likely to see flooding on 101. We're still likely to see the rivers rise to a point it becomes uncomfortable."

Supervisor Kate Daniels said she is "very worried" about what could be an extremely wet winter.

Debris flows are a top concern in Big Sur, where the Timber and Plaskett fires burned during summer 2026. The county is setting aside relief funds to help residents in fire-scarred areas install mitigation measures on their properties, according to KSBW.

A Bolsa Knolls resident who spoke at the meeting thanked supervisors for approving funding to fix culverts in communities whose residents rarely attend county meetings.

Monterey County joins Carmel-by-the-Sea and Salinas in declaring local emergencies tied to the El Niño forecast. Carmel proclaimed its emergency Thursday, Oct. 1, citing risks of flooding, high surf and bluff erosion at Carmel Beach. Salinas declared a threatened local emergency Sept. 29. No expiration date or review deadline for the county's declaration was available in public records as of Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The county has posted storm-preparation information on its website for residents looking to protect their properties before the rains arrive.