California Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign an executive order Tuesday to protect the iconic Pacific Coast Highway from the effects of El Niño-related storms as a potentially stormy winter approaches.
The action followed the Democratic governor’s declaration of a state of emergency on September 21, securing resources to prepare for what is predicted to be the strongest El Niño event ever to impact California.
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate cycle characterized by warmer than normal ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean and changes in wind and precipitation patterns along the equator. El Niño has a ripple effect on weather patterns around the world, causing a variety of extreme weather events. It can cause flooding in some areas and drought in others.
Although a severe El Niño does not necessarily mean that the associated extreme weather events will become more intense, it does increase the likelihood that these extreme weather events will occur.
One of the characteristics of El Niño is that it can send powerful, moist storms into the Golden State, bringing strong winds, high waves, and heavy rain, all of which threaten the stability of coastal transportation corridors like Highway 1.
High waves are already causing erosion on the scenic highway. The storm surge and crashing waves caused by El Niño can significantly worsen erosion to the point where some coastal roads and railways are no longer safe to travel on.
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The order creates the Highway 1 Task Force, led by the state Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources, to prepare roads for coastal storms and address long-term climate change risks.
“Highway 1 is more than our nation’s most iconic road. It keeps our coastal economies moving,” Newsom said in a statement. “It brings people to work, children to school, supplies to local businesses, emergency responders where they are needed, and visitors to our legendary beaches.”
“We know how damaging repeated closures are to these communities, and we are currently working with state officials to reduce the risk before the storm hits,” Newsom said.
Newsom also plans to sign a new executive order building on the September state of emergency declaration to help communities prepare before the storm arrives. This order will give state agencies additional tools to reduce flooding risk and protect critical infrastructure from the potential impacts of El Niño.
