Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  • State Government
  •  

FEMA: El Niño Increases Flooding, Landslide Risk In California

  •  Ed Joyce 
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Cal Fire PIO Berlant / Twitter

A message from Cal Fire, with the Butte Fire burning in the distance on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015.

Cal Fire PIO Berlant / Twitter

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released its disaster plan on how it will respond to El Niño weather conditions along the West Coast and in the Southwest this winter. 

The warming of the Pacific Ocean could bring storms triggering flooding, power outages and landslides. 

The FEMA plan lays out specific guidelines for federal, state, local and tribal agencies to follow in coordinating their response. It also emphasizes the coordination of search, rescue and evacuation efforts among emergency agencies.

The disaster plan focuses heavily on California. 

Land scarred by wildfires is susceptible to flooding and landslides. 

One of those areas is in Calaveras County, where the Butte Fire scarred 71,000 acres. Another is in Lake County, where the Valley Fire scorched 75,000 acres. 

California coastal areas could see higher tides of up to 8 feet in late December. 

How El Niño plays out in Nevada will depend on how much rain and snow falls on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. In Arizona, flash flooding and rapid snow melt area concern. 

FEMA is also looking to recruit 500 people in the region who it can call on to respond quickly to disasters.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  
Was this story useful?
yes
no

Will you help us improve our fires coverage? Head to our wildfire survey page to tell us what you think.

    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

    More about wildfire

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    California Wildfires: Latest Updates

    CapRadio provides the latest information and updates on wildfires hitting the state, and resources for listeners to help prepare, follow and respond to fire.

    Related Stories

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Despite Rain And Snow California Drought Persists

    Thursday, December 31, 2015
    The recent snow and rain help, but more is needed as California heads toward a record fifth year of drought.
  • City of Sacramento / Courtesy

    Recycling Christmas Trees Is Easy

    Tuesday, December 29, 2015
    Most cities and counties have free recycling services for Christmas trees, including the City of Sacramento
  • Lisa Herron / U.S. Forest Service

    Prescribed Fire Projects Resume In Tahoe Basin

    Monday, December 21, 2015
    The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District is expected to continue a "prescribed fire" operation this week at Incline Village.
  • Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Calif. Drought: Storms Help, Water Supply 'Below Average'

    Thursday, December 10, 2015
    Despite a return to a more typical fall storm pattern, the rain and snow has brought only minimal improvement to California's multiyear drought.
  • Sierra-at-Tahoe / Courtesy

    Drought Improves In Pacific Northwest, Not California

    Wednesday, November 25, 2015
    The latest U.S. Drought Monitor showed no change to drought conditions in California over the past week. But, the report does not include the storm that brought rain to valleys and snow to the Sierra Nevada this week.
  • Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Recent Storms Help Sierra Snowpack Not Water Supply

    Thursday, November 19, 2015
    There is no change this week to the drought in California, despite the recent storms that have brought snow to the Sierra. Reservoir storage in California remains the second lowest on record.
  • Butte Fire Leaves Landscape Ripe For Flooding

    Monday, November 9, 2015
    If El Niño brings heavy rain this winter it could trigger flash floods over burn scars in California.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Don't Count On El Niño For Sierra Snowpack

    Monday, October 19, 2015
    After a record low snowpack in the Sierra Nevada last spring, runoff was also at record lows. Don't expect a strong El Niño to help change that this winter.
  • Lesley McClurg / Capital Public Radio

    Lake County Faces Long, Tough Recovery From Valley Fire

    Tuesday, October 13, 2015
    Rebuilding after any big wildfire is challenging, but it may be especially so in Lake County, one of the poorest in California.
  • El Niño Brings Risk Of Flash Flooding, Debris Flows Near Wildfire Scars

    Monday, October 12, 2015
    A strong El Niño is forecast to bring above-average precipitation this winter. But, it also creates dangerous flooding potential too, especially in areas recently scarred by wildfires.
  • AP

    Butte Fire: Major Disaster Declaration For Calaveras County

    Thursday, September 24, 2015
    A major disaster declaration has been granted by President Obama for Calaveras County, due to damage from the Butte Fire.
  • Noah Berger / AP

    Feds Declare Major Disaster For Valley Fire

    Tuesday, September 22, 2015
    President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster for the Valley Fire in Lake County.
  • Noah Berger / AP

    Valley And Butte Wildfires Among Most Damaging In California History

    Monday, September 21, 2015
    The Valley and Butte fires in northern California are among the most damaging in state history. Governor Jerry Brown Monday asked for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for both fires.
  • Al Gibes / Capital Public Radio

    El Niño And California’s Historic Drought

    Thursday, September 3, 2015
    There were no changes in the intensity of drought in California over the past week and El Niño is not expected to end the state's historic drought.
  • @CALFIRE_PIO / Twitter

    California Wildfires May Be 'New Normal'

    Monday, August 17, 2015
    The increase in the number of wildfires in California and the western U.S. may partly be caused by climate change.
  • California Drought: ‘Spooky’ Water Supply Future

    Friday, July 24, 2015
    The California Department of Water Resources released a video this week and suggested that the state faces a scary future and potential fifth year of drought.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: El Niño Won’t End Dry Times In California

    Wednesday, May 27, 2015
    NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center and meteorologists in other countries show that strong-to-moderate El Niño conditions are present in the tropical Pacific. But it won't end the drought in California.
  • Wes Schultz / YubaNet.com

    California Drought: Forest Service Ready For Wildfire Season

    Tuesday, May 26, 2015
    The U.S. Forest Service has wrapped up its hiring for firefighters to work on California's 18 national forests this summer.

 droughtFEMAwildfireCalaveras CountyfloodingLake CountyEl NinoDrought2015ClimateEl Niñobutte firevalley fireDrought2016landslides

Ed Joyce

Former All Things Considered Anchor & Reporter

Ed Joyce is a former reporter and All Things Considered news anchor at Capital Public Radio. Ed is a veteran journalist with experience in a variety of news positions across all media platforms, including radio, television, web and print.   Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Is your house at risk of a wildfire? This online tool could tell you

May 16, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Much of the Sacramento Valley is under red flag warning starting Thursday

May 18, 2022

Most Viewed

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party

Dear Life Kit: Is a recital really more important than my wedding?

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party

Dear Life Kit: Is a recital really more important than my wedding?

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.