Forecasters expect a strong El Niño this winter. That usually means more rain for Southern California, mostly from heavy storms between December and March, but not always: the very strong 2015–16 El Niño left Los Angeles drier than normal, while 1997–98 brought the city more than 30 inches of rain. The work below is worth doing either way, and most of it is cheaper than a single wet ceiling.
What the forecasts say: in June 2026 the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center put the chance of a very strong El Niño this November–January at 63%. A September 2026 NOAA drought outlook says very strong events “usually bring above-average rain to Southern California” and a much higher flood risk from December through March.
Before the rain: a weekend checklist
- Roof and gutters. Clear gutters and downspouts, replace missing or cracked shingles and tiles, and check the flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights. Small roof leaks are the most common source of ceiling stains and attic mold.
- Move water away from the house. Downspouts should empty several feet from the foundation, and soil should slope away from the walls. In raised-floor homes, water that pools next to the foundation ends up in the crawlspace.
- Look under the house. Make sure crawlspace vents aren’t blocked and there’s no standing water or damp insulation now, so you can tell if a storm adds some. See our mold prevention guide.
- Know where your water shut-off is, and keep anything valuable off garage and basement floors.
- Photograph your home and belongings now. “Before” pictures make any insurance claim easier.
Check your insurance before the storms
Standard homeowners and renters policies don’t cover flooding from rising water; that takes a separate flood policy. New flood policies through the National Flood Insurance Program usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying one after a storm is forecast is often too late. Read more in our insurance guide.
Free sandbags in the Harbor Area
- San Pedro, Wilmington and Harbor City (City of Los Angeles): every LAFD neighborhood fire station has ready-to-fill bags, up to 25 per household. You fill them yourself; the fire department doesn’t fill, deliver or place them. Sand is only stocked at some stations. (LAFD sandbags)
- Lomita, Carson, Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates: LA County Fire stations hand out sandbags to residents of their own community, with proof of residency. Call ahead, because supplies run out during storms. (LA County free sandbags)
- Torrance has its own fire department; call it to ask where sandbags are available.
Local risks to watch
- High tides along the harbor. El Niño winters raise the risk of flooding during high tides on the West Coast, so low streets near the water can flood even when it isn’t raining hard.
- Hillsides on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Heavy rain speeds up ground movement in landslide areas. If you live in Rancho Palos Verdes, see our Rancho Palos Verdes page for the city’s rules and contacts.
- Older plumbing and roofs. Much of San Pedro’s housing is decades old; the first big storm of the season is when worn roofs and clogged drains show up.
During a storm
- Call 911 for anything life-threatening. In the City of Los Angeles, call 311 (or use the MyLA311 app) for street flooding, mudslides or fallen trees.
- Sign up for NotifyLA emergency alerts at emergency.lacity.gov/notifyla.
- Stay off flooded roads and away from downed power lines.
- If water is coming in, shut off electricity to wet areas only if you can do it without standing in water.
After the storm
Wet drywall, carpet, insulation and subfloors need to be dried within 24 to 48 hours to keep mold from starting (EPA). Take photos before you clean up, stop the source if you can, and see our water damage page for what drying involves. Renters should report leaks to the landlord in writing right away; see mold in your rental.
Water coming in after a storm?
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Sources checked October 31, 2026: NOAA / National Integrated Drought Information System, Drought and Early Warning outlook (September 24, 2026); NBC Los Angeles / City News Service on the Climate Prediction Center El Niño forecast (June 2026); Los Angeles Fire Department and Spectrum News 1 on free sandbags (September 2026); LA County Public Works free sandbags page; City of Los Angeles Emergency Management storm page; FEMA FloodSmart; U.S. EPA mold guidance.