SACRAMENTO — California is taking action to protect communities in an effort to ensure Californians have the information they need before, during and after this possible extreme winter season.
As cooler months bring new interrelated challenges, like floods, wind, power outages, mudslides, deep snow and cold temperatures, Listos California, a resilience initiative of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services or Cal OES, has a series of resources in 13 languages on storm preparedness, response and recovery to ensure California families can stay safe.
Text Message Campaign
Additionally, Californians can sign up for the “Storm Season Safety” five-day text message course through Listos California to learn about what to expect this winter and how you can prepare to stay safe. This course is available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Punjabi. Text “CAWINTER” to 20202 via SMS or sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/Storm-Season-Safety
Upcoming Winter Weather
In 2022-23, California experienced more than a dozen atmospheric rivers, impacting nearly every community statewide. This intense deluge resulted in heavy rains, high winds, deep snow and significant flooding for millions of Californians. As the state looks to another impactful storm season, there is a predicted chance of an El Niño event developing during the 2023-24 rainy season, including possible heavy snows earlier in the season, with warmer rains later in the season.
El Niño occurs when unusually warm water temperatures along the equator results in areas of the U.S. experiencing severe weather. This typically brings wetter-than-average conditions to California which can result in increased weather events like rain, flooding and snow, among others.
Informational Materials
Listos California has developed helpful informational resources in 13 languages to spread the word on this season’s safety tips at its Resource Hub including:
Dedicated web pages: Preparedness resources: https://www.listoscalifornia.org/StormSeason/
and State’s efforts this storm season: https://news.caloes.ca.gov/StormSeason