The Bear Valley Community Services District is taking steps now to prepare for severe weather this fall and winter.

Current forecasts show that El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during the fall and winter. NOAA is also forecasting a 75% chance that this could reach historic strength.

On September 21, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide state of emergency to help California prepare for the potentially historic El Niño season. The declaration will mobilize state resources, including staging critical equipment across California and preparing the California National Guard to support flood response, search and rescue operations, and other emergency efforts.

On September 15, the Bear Valley Community Services District met to review its local El Niño Readiness Plan. The draft plan includes steps the CSD will take before storms arrive, including clearing culverts and drains, maintaining snowplows and other critical vehicles, stocking spare parts, testing generators, and reviewing communications plans.

The plan also outlines department-by-department responsibilities for severe weather response, including snowplow procedures, public communications, welfare checks, and other emergency response activities.

The CSD has scheduled additional internal meetings to review the plan over the next few weeks. Once complete, the CSD's El Niño Readiness Plan will be shared with the public.

Residents can also take steps now to prepare for the upcoming winter weather. The Bear Valley Police Department will host a Winter Readiness Workshop on October 1 at 6:00 p.m. at the Oak Tree Country Club. The primary focus will be on building a seven-day household emergency kit and the supplies it should include.

We also encourage residents to talk with their neighbors and develop emergency plans, especially those living at higher elevations. During a major snowstorm, upper roads could potentially be closed for several days.

All residents should sign up for Nixle, our emergency alert system. Critical information during major weather events will be shared through Nixle. To sign up for email and text alerts, visit bvcsd.org/Nixle or text BVSAlerts to 888777.

We thank you for your cooperation as we prepare for what could be a historic winter. Taking steps now to prepare for severe weather can help our community be ready when it arrives.