El Nino Preparation — Winter 2026
 
 
Forecasters expect a very strong El Niño this winter, which raises the odds of heavy storms and high-tide flooding in San Mateo County. To help our district prepare, the county created a guidebook (attached) with preparedness steps that districts should begin taking right away to get ready for the winter weather predicted for our area.

The guidebook is aligned with the California Student Emergency Response Network’s (CSERN) El Niño Preparedness Guide, released on October 21. The CSERN guide offers practical steps schools across the state can take before, during and after severe weather. It is meant to complement your existing school safety plans, district emergency operations plans and local emergency management procedures, not replace them.