The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday, Sept. 15, to create a countywide storm-preparedness hub ahead of what meteorologists say will be a strong El Niño season. The new hub would serve all San Diego County residents, including those in Carlsbad, which falls in Supervisor Jim Desmond's District 5.
The board directed county staff to build a Severe Weather Community Preparedness Resource Hub and outreach strategy. Supervisors also ordered the Chief Administrative Officer to return Tuesday, Oct. 6, with a specific preparedness plan for unincorporated communities hit hard by the January 2024 floods, the North County Daily Star reported.
That Oct. 6 plan will cover the status of nine previously flooded sites, first-day response actions and assistance options for families with limited financial resources.
The directive targets unincorporated areas, not incorporated cities like Carlsbad. But the countywide resource hub applies regionwide, and the county coordinates storm response with all 18 cities in the region.
What the county is doing
Forecasters expect longer, more frequent storms from October through April. Low-lying neighborhoods face the highest flood risk, along with threats of coastal erosion, landslides and debris flows, according to the County News Center.
The county launched a new Engagement Division within its Office of Emergency Services to expand outreach and preparedness education. More than 1,200 county employees now hold dedicated emergency roles and receive annual training to support multi-day storm operations.
County Public Works maintains nearly 2,000 miles of roads and operates 13 maintenance stations providing 24/7 storm response. Roads, drainage channels and culverts are being inspected and reinforced ahead of the rainy season. Nearly 40 county and CAL FIRE stations offer free sand and sandbags; locations and hours are listed at AlertSanDiego.org/ElNiño.
The county is also using data to identify older adults who may need extra support during severe weather, expanding shelter options for people experiencing homelessness and partnering with community organizations to share information in multiple languages.
Carlsbad's own preparations
Carlsbad has been ramping up separately. The city reported Monday, Sept. 7, that it is reviewing emergency action plans for the Calavera, Maerkle and Mahr dams and ensuring swift water rescue teams, Urban Search & Rescue teams, Public Works crews and the Emergency Operations Center are ready, according to a city news release.
Storm season is approaching fast.
The city is coordinating sandbag distribution, inspecting and clearing storm drains, trimming trees and preparing for potential mud and debris flows. In January 2026, Carlsbad expedited repairs to storm drain infrastructure in the coastal bluffs near Carlsbad Boulevard and Solamar Drive that had been damaged by previous storms, according to a city manager update.
Residents can find the county's updated El Niño preparedness tips, expected impacts and safety tools at AlertSanDiego.org. For storm-related road issues, the county's hotline is 877-684-8000.
