Preparing Together for a Strong El Niño
California has declared a state of emergency as the western United States prepares for a potentially historic El Niño season. El Niño does not guarantee a particular storm, but it can increase the risk of heavy rain, flooding, landslides, hurricanes, and strong winds, and coastal impacts. now can protect lives and help congregations care for their neighbors.
Three things you can do today
1 Sign up for local emergency alerts
Emergency alerts can provide critical information about severe weather, flooding, evacuation warnings, and road conditions. California residents should sign up here for alerts in their county. Nevada residents can click here to use click here to use Nevada 211 (scroll down to find county specific). Please do not wait until a storm is approaching!
2 Prepare before the storm
· Clear gutters and drains, check roofs for leaks, and locate nearby sandbag resources.
· Know whether your home, church, or usual travel route is at risk of flooding or mudslides, especially near a recent burn area.
· Prepare a stay kit and go bag with water, food, medications, flashlights, charged phone battery, sturdy shoes, copies of important documents, and supplies for pets or mobility needs.
· Never walk or drive through floodwater. Turn around and find another route.
3 Check on your congregation and neighbors
· Identify older adults, people with disabilities, homebound neighbors, and others who may need help preparing or evacuating.
· Set up a phone tree or text group, confirm who will check the church property, and share clear responsibilities before severe weather arrives.
· Care for yourself emotionally by limiting media, maintaining routines, praying, and sharing the load
· Call 211 for local preparedness and community resources, which may include sandbag locations or assistance available in your area.
24/7 Crisis Help:
Call/Text 1-800-985-5990 (Disaster Distress)
988 (Crisis Lifeline)
Synod Resources
Sierra Pacific Synod Emergency Map
Robert created an up-to-date interactive emergency map for Northern California and western Nevada. Use it before and during storms to see when warnings are particularly close to your church or community. Uncheck boxes in the upper-right corner to hide layers and make the map easier to read. Click the resources in the lower-right corner for additional information.
Synod and States Links
Check our synod website for links to synod and state resources, support organizations, and relief assistance.
Let us know how we can support you
Please complete our congregational preparedness survey. We’re starting our work with churches that fill out this survey. It’s a way to let us know how you’d like to engage: whether your congregation wants a neighborhood workshop, a go-bag assembly party, coaching to establish (or bolster) a church safety team, or a place in the forthcoming Synod Resilience Roundtable.
Contact Dr. Robert Pitts at robert@spselca.org and Jamie Stark at jamie@spselca.org.
As we face this upcoming El Niño season, remember that preparation is a demonstration of care and responsibility for ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors. Preparedness grows through relationships: knowing who may need help, who can offer it, and how we will stay connected when conditions change. We are here to help your congregation prepare. You are not walking this road alone.
In mutual support and readiness,
Dr. Robert Pitts and Jamie Stark
Disaster Preparedness Community Organizers, Sierra Pacific Synod