On September 21, California’s governor declared a statewide state of emergency ahead of what forecasters are calling a potentially historic El Niño winter, one that could bring heavy rain, coastal flooding, and landslide risk to communities across the state. For families with a loved one in Senior Living, that’s the kind of news that understandably raises a lot of questions.
What’s Actually Happening This Winter
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern, and this year’s is forecast to be unusually strong, potentially the strongest on record. The state’s emergency declaration isn’t a prediction of disaster, it’s a preparedness step: it lets state agencies stage flood equipment, coordinate road closures ahead of storms, and ready the National Guard if needed. For the details straight from the source, the Governor’s official proclamation lays out exactly what’s being mobilized and why, and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center publishes the ongoing forecast updates as the season develops.
What Westmont Communities Are Already Doing
We wrote back in September about what a Senior Living Community already handles when it comes to emergency readiness, and that groundwork applies directly here. Trained team members, on-site emergency systems, and established weather protocols don’t change because the forecast does; they’re built to flex around exactly this kind of event. Families are welcome to ask their Community’s team directly about storm-specific plans for this winter.
What Families Can Do Now
Preparation on the family side doesn’t need to be complicated. Confirming that a loved one’s Community has current emergency contact information on file, having a family communication plan for the days a storm might disrupt regular visits or calls, and simply knowing where to find updates (both from the Community and from official sources like NOAA) covers most of what matters. None of this requires urgency months in advance, just a little attention before the season picks up.
A Conversation Worth Having Early
Consider a family that usually visits every Sunday without much planning involved. A quick conversation now, about how a heavy storm week might shift that visit or how the Community would reach out if plans needed to change, means nobody’s improvising in the middle of an actual storm. Having that conversation in October, while the forecast is still just a forecast, is a lot calmer than having it in January.
Staying Informed Without Staying Worried
A historic forecast doesn’t mean a guaranteed disaster, and it doesn’t mean this winter needs to feel like one long emergency. It means a bit more attention to the weather than usual, a working communication plan with family, and trust that the Community’s existing readiness systems are built for exactly this. We’ll share updates here as the season develops.
Explore Westmont Living’s Communities to learn more about how a Westmont Community prepares for the season ahead.
