TO: LINDA REICH, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HYE JIN LEE, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
SUBJECT
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Resolution Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency in Anticipation of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 El Niño Event.
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RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt the proposed resolution declaring the existence of a local emergency within the limits of the City of Chino in anticipation of extreme weather, flooding, and potential infrastructure hazards associated with the predicted FY 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon.
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FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with approval of the resolution. If needed during a major emergency, the resolution would allow the City to expedite the hiring of contractors and vendors by bypassing lengthy procurement processes. Also, in case of a real active natural disaster, the declaration allows the City to recuperate costs associated with emergency responses when the Federal or State funds become available. Staff will establish cost tracking protocols in case of a natural disaster.
CITY OF CHINO MISSION / VISION / VALUES / STRATEGIC ISSUES
The recommendation detailed above further the City’s values and strategic issues that serve as key pillars on which identified priorities, goals, and action plans are built, by fostering:
• Responsible Long-Range Planning
• Exemplary Leadership
• Public Service Excellence through Internal and External Partnerships
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BACKGROUND
On September 21, 2026, The California Governor proclaimed a statewide emergency due to the developing El Niño event. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast indicates a greater than 90% chance the 2026-2027 El Niño season will be “very strong,” and about a 75% chance it will be the strongest on record. The NOAA warns it could bring wetter, more intense winter storms, flooding, and other severe weather to California.
Per the Chino Municipal Code Chapter 2.48 and California Government Code sections 8630, 8680.9, and 8558, the City Council has the authority to declare a state of local emergency within the geographic boundaries of the City. This declaration does not require physical destruction to already have occurred, instead it anticipates a probability of imminent catastrophic peril to trigger emergency powers to prevent loss of life. The proposed declaration is a proactive approach to the potential El Niño event which may affect the City in the coming months.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
With the FY 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon event looming, it creates an inundation risk with heavy rainfall potentially flooding areas that have historically experienced street closures and rerouting of motorist and community members. Areas of potential concern include Euclid Avenue between Pine Avenue and State Route 71 as well as Pine Avenue between El Prado Road and Fern Avenue.
With heavy rainfall potentially occurring, this may also create a concern with Prado Dam reaching its retention capacity. Prado Dam stormwater retention capacity and floodwater release is also highly dependent on downstream Orange County flood conditions. Prado Dam may not be able to release water in a timely manner in the event of widespread extraordinary rain events causing additional strain on Prado Dam inundation area and its impacts to the City of Chino.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Chino team hosted a scenario-based exercise on the potential flooding impacts to the City at the Chino Police Station. The specific focus of the exercise was on potential impacts to Euclid Avenue. The topics included roles and responsibilities for closing Euclid Avenue, trigger points and criteria for flood response activation, notification to the public, road closures along with traffic detours, and impacts to the community and businesses. The tabletop exercise included Police, Public Works, Community Services Parks & Recreation, Administration, Chino Valley Fire District, Chino Valley Unified School District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, California Institution for Men, California Institution for Women, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This exercise was a great opportunity to share ideas, past practices, discuss outreach, and key actions to take in the event Euclid Avenue or other roads require closures and detours.
The proposed resolution will allow the City to continue to address and mitigate an imminent threat to public health and safety and therefore is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines 15269.
Attachment - Resolution No. 2026-067