The Seal Beach City Council on Monday, Sept. 28, unanimously ratified local emergencies on Sept. 17, 21, and 22.
California law requires a council to ratify emergency proclamations in seven days.
“On September 21, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a statewide State of Emergency due to the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event.
“The Governor’s proclamation cites the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s August 13, 2026, diagnostic report, which found a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong El Niño during fall and winter 2026-2027 and a 69 percent chance that the event would reach historic strength during October through December 2026,” according to the staff report by Seal Beach Police Sgt. Brian Gray, emergency services coordinator.
“The proclamation identifies severe storms, flooding, coastal flooding, erosion, mud and debris flows, and related impacts as hazards warranting advance preparedness,” Gray wrote.
The county prolcaimed a local emergency on Sept. 27, according to Gray’s report.
“The developing El Niño event may increase the risk of additional severe storms, heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, coastal flooding, high surf, erosion, transportation disruption, infrastructure impacts, and other emergency conditions throughout the City,” Gray wrote.
The council wasn’t in session on Sept. 26, according to Gray’s report. City Manager Patrick Gallegos issued a Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency.
“Seal Beach Municipal Code Section 3.25.020 authorizes the Director of Emergency Services to proclaim a local emergency when the City Council is not in session but provides that the proclamation becomes null and void seven days after issuance unless ratified by the City Council. California Government Code Section 8630 similarly requires ratification within seven days and requires the governing body to review the need for the continuing local emergency at least once every 60 days,” Gray wrote.
“Ratification will preserve the City’s ability to use emergency authorities available under state and local law, coordinate and stage resources, request mutual aid when necessary, use emergency purchasing and contracting procedures when otherwise authorized, maintain detailed cost and damage records, and pursue eligible reimbursement or assistance if available,” Gray wrote.