Hollister declares flood emergency ahead of El Niño winter
City of Hollister, California · Meeting date: October 21, 2026 · Published: October 22, 2026
Hollister City Council has unanimously proclaimed a local emergency for anticipated winter storms and flooding in 2026-27. The move authorises coordination with county, state and other agencies and supports applications for available emergency assistance.
Key points
- Council adopted the local-emergency resolution unanimously.
- The declaration covers anticipated 2026-27 winter storms and flooding and requires review at least every 60 days.
- Staff cited an October 8 NOAA forecast indicating an 83% chance of El Niño.
- The resolution authorises documentation of emergency-related costs and pursuit of available state and federal resources.
Full report
Hollister City Council has unanimously declared a local emergency for anticipated winter storms and flooding, giving the California city a formal framework to coordinate its response and pursue outside aid if severe weather materialises.
The resolution covers the 2026-27 winter season and authorises the City Manager or designee to work with San Benito County, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and other appropriate agencies. It also directs staff to document emergency-related costs and seek available state and federal assistance.
Interim Fire Chief Stephen Healy told the council that staff were preparing for potential severe storms and flooding associated with a developing El Niño event. He cited NOAA information dated October 8 indicating an 83% chance of El Niño, adding that, if it occurs, the forecast pointed to very strong storms in October, November and December.
The city will have to reconsider the need for the emergency declaration at least every 60 days. Healy said the first such review would fall in the week of December 14.
Alongside the declaration, Hollister has been working with San Benito County and San Juan Bautista on emergency-management preparations. Healy said the partners had reviewed the county emergency-management plan, under which Hollister operates, identified minor adjustments intended to improve efficiency, and assembled a team involving the sheriff’s department, police department and county administration.
The council approved the resolution without public comment.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council - Special Meeting, City of Hollister