In the latest Santa Clarita weather reports, an onset of El Niño weather patterns — which can bring very strong weather, such as floods and mudslides — are expected to begin this fall and then increase as Santa Clarita heads into the winter months, according to officials.

“Currently we are under an El Niño watch,” said Kaily Delerme, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “There is a 50 to 55 percent chance of an El Niño onset during the fall. It’s increasing to a 65 to 70 percent chance during the winter.”

El Niño is a weather pattern that occurs with increasingly warmer ocean temperatures along the equator in the Pacific Ocean, according to officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Related: Remembering El Nino ’98; Santa Clarita City Prepares For Possible Storm

In effect, the warmer ocean can severely change weather and climate over the United States, particularly during winter months.

And, more specifically, strong El Niño will increase the chances of rain storms, flooding and mudslides in Southern California, according to Delerme.

However, due to the effects of the 1998 El Niño, this is not the first time Santa Clarita residents have needed to prepare for damaging El Niño storms. For the last two decades, City officials have offered a number of services to assist local residents prepare their homes and families for oncoming storms, including offering Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) and sand bags.

CERT is an emergency preparedness program that educates volunteers about disaster preparedness, such as El Niño. Enrollment for Santa Clarita-based courses recently opened up on Oct. 5.

Related: El Niño Watch For Southern California Could Bring Floods And Mudslides

Additionally, Fire Station 126 by the Westfield Valencia Town Center offers free sandbags to the public, which can help to mitigate flood or mudslide damage, according to Fire Department officials.  

“(Residents) can get up to 25 sandbags at most of the stations.” said Captain Bill Whalen of Fire Station 126.

Residents are urged to prepare emergency bags filled with survival essentials in case of evacuation notices, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

For more information about general disaster preparedness in Santa Clarita, visit the City’s informational page here.   

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