BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ? No ?
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A – Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Receive an Update on the El Nino Emergency and Determination the Emergency Conditions Continue to Constitute an Emergency.
End
RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Receive an update on the El Nino Emergency declared by the Interim Chief Executive Officer (Interim CEO) on October 7, 2026; and
Determine by a four-fifths vote of the Board there is a need to continue the emergency action declared by the Interim CEO on October 7, 2026, pursuant to California Public Contract Code section 22050 to prepare for and address potential impacts of the developing 2026-2027 El Nino event.
Body
SUMMARY:
Public Contract Code section 22050 requires the Board, by a four-fifths vote at each regularly scheduled Board meeting until the emergency action is terminated, to determine that there remains a need to continue the emergency action. This agenda item recommends that the Board make that finding for the El Nino Emergency declared by the Interim CEO on October 7, 2026.
Pursuant to Resolution No. 05-67, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Board of Directors delegated authority to the CEO to declare emergencies when statutory conditions are met.
BACKGROUND:
On September 21, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a statewide state of emergency due to the developing 2026-2027 El Nino event. The proclamation cites forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center indicating a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong El Nino event during fall and winter 2026-2027, including a projected 69 percent chance that the event will reach historic strength during the October through December 2026 season.
The Governor's proclamation recognizes that the developing El Nino event may increase the likelihood of severe storms, atmospheric rivers, flooding, coastal flooding, erosion, mud and ...
Click here for full text