Prepare for Potential El Niño Weather Impacts
This week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to support advance preparation for potential El Niño impacts this fall and winter.
At SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley, we are focusing on readiness. Our facilities team members have for months been planning for potential weather-related impacts, to include – but not limited to – inspecting and clearing roof drains and storm drains, implementing preventive measures and damage repairs to reduce potential impacts.
There are no planned changes to university operations at this time. Any changes to university classes or operations will be communicated through official SDSU channels.
What to expect
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that can influence fall and winter weather. In Southern California, it may contribute to:
- Heavy rain
- Flooding
- Power outages
- Travel disruptions
- Changes to daily routines
The timing and severity of local conditions remain uncertain.
Quick Actions for the SDSU Community
- Discuss severe-weather plans with your instructor, supervisor or research lead before conditions develop.
- Keep office and residential room windows closed when you leave.
- Gather essential items, including medications, a flashlight, charging supplies, eyeglasses, a change of clothes, close-toed shoes, drinking water and important contact information.
- Monitor regional weather reports and alerts, including those from the National Weather Service.
- Never walk or drive through floodwater.
- Avoid Alvarado Court during storms. It is within a flood zone. Alvarado Road and other areas around campus may also flood.
- Follow road closures and instructions from emergency officials, even when a route appears passable.
Severe Weather Guidance for the SDSU Community
Before severe weather occurs:
- Know how to contact your instructors if weather affects your ability to travel, attend class, access course materials or complete coursework.
- Discuss potential weather-related disruptions with your instructors in advance.
- Keep essential medications, charging supplies and other personal necessities accessible.
- If you live on campus, report weather-related impacts through the Housing Portal.
During severe weather:
- Check your SDSU email and urgent.sdsu.edu for official updates, as this is where SDSU will communicate with the community in the event of an emergency.
- Follow instructions from SDSU, emergency officials and transportation agencies.
- Avoid flooded areas and do not enter closed roads, walkways or buildings.
Before severe weather occurs:
- Review how you will communicate with students if weather disrupts transportation, electricity, building access or course delivery.
- Make sure students know how to contact you if they are unable to attend class or complete coursework.
- Recognize that weather conditions may vary considerably across the communities where students live.
- Keep course materials and key communications accessible through established university systems.
During severe weather:
- Monitor official SDSU communications and share relevant university guidance with students.
- Follow instructions regarding building access, class meetings and changes to university operations.
- Direct students to appropriate campus support services when additional assistance is needed.
Before severe weather occurs:
- Review how you will communicate with employees if weather affects transportation, electricity or building access.
- Recognize that employees may experience different conditions depending on where they live and travel.
- Discuss essential duties, operational priorities and potential contingency plans with your supervisor or team.
- Keep office windows closed when leaving the building.
During severe weather:
- Monitor SDSU communications and follow guidance from university leadership and emergency officials.
- Report facility issues promptly to the appropriate university contact.
- Do not enter areas that are closed or unsafe.
Before severe weather occurs, review plans for:
- Personnel safety and communication
- Critical equipment
- Research animals, specimens or other sensitive materials
- Data protection and backup procedures
- Temperature-sensitive materials
- Power outages
- Restricted building access
- Research activities that could be interrupted by flooding or transportation disruptions
Discuss responsibilities and emergency procedures with research personnel in advance. Report facility or equipment concerns as soon as possible.
Receive SDSU Emergency Updates
In the event of an emergency, SDSU will share information via multiple formats, to include email, text messaging, the SDSU Safe app and web content, to include Urgent.sdsu.edu Take these steps to make sure you can receive official information:
- Bookmark urgent.sdsu.edu and refer to it regularly.
- Check your SDSU email regularly.
- Confirm that your cell phone number is current in SDSU systems so you can receive SMS emergency notifications.
- Enable phone and app notifications for the SDSU Safe app. Visit the SDSU Alert webpage for enrollment instructions for students, faculty, staff and auxiliary employees. Parents, families and community members can sign up for SDSU alerts online.
Campus Support
Should you need support, rely on the many campus support services available to students, faculty and staff.