Governor Newsom Declares State of Emergency Ahead of El Niño: What California Homeowners Should Know

California isn't waiting for winter storms to arrive before preparing for El Niño.

On September 21, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a statewide state of emergency as California prepares for what officials say could be a historic El Niño season.

The declaration comes months before the heart of California's rainy season — and that's the point.

State officials are preparing early for the possibility of significant winter weather, including heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, landslides, debris flows and heavy mountain snow.

For California homeowners, it's also a good reminder:

The time to prepare your home for a major storm isn't when the rain starts. It's before it gets here.

Why Did California Declare a State of Emergency Before a Storm?

A state of emergency can sound alarming, especially when skies are still clear.

But this declaration is largely about preparation.

It allows California to mobilize resources, streamline certain emergency preparations and position equipment and personnel before severe weather develops.

The state is preparing flood-fighting supplies such as sandbags and pumps, positioning equipment for road closures and snow removal, preparing the California National Guard to assist with flood response and search-and-rescue operations if necessary, and working with local agencies on flood, landslide and debris-flow preparedness.

In other words, California isn't declaring that a disaster has already happened.

It's preparing because officials believe the potential risk is significant enough to act early.

How Strong Could This El Niño Be?

According to information released by the Governor's office, federal forecasters currently see a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño developing during the fall and winter.

Officials have warned that the event could potentially reach historic strength.

That doesn't mean California is guaranteed to experience catastrophic storms — and it doesn't tell us exactly where individual storms will hit.

El Niño influences weather patterns, but it can't predict what will happen at a particular house, city or county months in advance.

What it does mean is that California is taking the possibility of an unusually active winter seriously.

Homeowners should, too.

What Could El Niño Mean for Northern California?

When people hear about El Niño in California, much of the attention tends to focus on Southern California and the coast.

But Northern California isn't immune to winter storm impacts.

Our communities can experience prolonged rainfall, strong winds, fallen trees, power outages, flooding and heavy Sierra snow. In the foothills, properties can also be affected by drainage issues, runoff and debris.

For your home, repeated storms can be particularly important.

One rainstorm may not expose a roofing problem.

Several days or weeks of repeated rainfall can.

Your Roof Doesn't Have to Be "Bad" to Leak

This is something we wish more homeowners knew.

A roof can look perfectly fine from the ground and still have a vulnerable area.

It could be a cracked tile.

A lifted shingle.

A deteriorating pipe flashing.

An aging roof penetration.

A small section of damaged underlayment.

Debris trapped in a roof valley.

Or a gutter that can't move water away from the house quickly enough.

During California's long dry season, those problems may give you absolutely no indication they're there.

Then winter arrives.

When a roof is exposed to repeated rain and wind, small vulnerabilities have a way of making themselves known.

Unfortunately, sometimes the first sign is a stain on the ceiling.

California Is Preparing Early. Homeowners Can Do the Same.

The state's own preparedness recommendations include clearing gutters and drains before severe weather arrives.

That's particularly important for your roofing system.

Gutters clogged with leaves, pine needles and other debris can't effectively move water away from your roof and home. During heavy rainfall, that can lead to overflowing gutters and water ending up where it shouldn't.

Homeowners should also take a look around their property before winter and address anything that already seems questionable.

You don't need to climb onto the roof yourself.

Instead, look for visible warning signs from the ground and inside your home:

• Missing or visibly damaged shingles
• Cracked or displaced tiles
• Debris accumulated in roof valleys
• Gutters overflowing or pulling away from the home
• Water stains on ceilings or walls
• Evidence of previous leaks
• Damaged fascia or exterior wood
• Areas where water doesn't drain properly away from the home

If you've already noticed something that doesn't look right, now is the time to have it checked.

Don't Wait for the First Big Storm

There's another practical reason to prepare early.

When the rain starts, roofing companies get busy. Fast.

After the first significant storm of the season, contractors can receive a large influx of calls from homeowners discovering leaks at the same time.

Something that could have been inspected or repaired on a dry September or October day suddenly becomes an emergency during a storm.

And emergency roof repairs during active weather are more complicated than preventative repairs completed beforehand.

If your roof is older, you've noticed a potential problem, you've had a previous leak, or you simply aren't sure about its condition, having it looked at before winter can give you time to address problems without the pressure of an active leak.

Preparing Doesn't Mean Panicking

A state of emergency doesn't mean every California homeowner is going to experience roof damage or flooding this winter.

And a strong El Niño doesn't guarantee that every community will experience extreme rainfall.

It means the risk is significant enough that California is preparing ahead of time.

That's a pretty good approach for homeowners, too.

You don't need to panic.

You don't need to replace a perfectly good roof because El Niño is coming.

You do want to make sure the roof you already have is ready to do its job.

Is Your Roof Ready for Winter?

American Eagle Roofing & Gutters serves homeowners throughout Northern California, including El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer, Amador and Nevada counties.

If you're concerned about the condition of your roof or gutters before California's winter weather arrives, our team can inspect your roofing system and let you know what — if anything — actually needs attention.

Because we'd much rather find a problem on a dry day than have you discover it during the first major storm.

Let our family help yours.

‍