The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday adopted a resolution proclaiming a local emergency for the 2026-2027 El Niño winter season, enabling the city to quickly procure and deploy equipment, supplies, services and other resources as needed to address potential storm-related impacts.

Potential impacts could include:

Repeated heavy rainfall and saturated ground
Rapid urban flooding where drainage capacity is exceeded
Coastal wave action, beach erosion, and high surf
Falling trees, downed power lines, traffic disruptions, and power outages
Slope instability and debris movement, especially near steep terrain and wildfire burn-affected areas
Bluff erosion, with mud and debris falling on to Pacific Coast Highway

The local emergency proclamation is one of several measures the city is taking to protect residents and infrastructure and prepare for potential storm impacts, building on its usual winter storm preparedness measures.

“While we can’t know exactly what this winter will bring, we can take steps now to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño and help keep our community safe,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said. “I’m proud of our city staff for taking a proactive approach to preparedness and working to minimize potential impacts on our residents and businesses. Proclaiming a local emergency gives the city greater flexibility to take early action, strengthen our readiness and help protect our community.”

Preparations underway include:

Constructing sand berms to reduce sand erosion on the beach and along storm drain outflows
Inspecting and repairing roofs, gutters, and drains at city facilities to help prevent leaks and flooding
Cleaning more than 600 catch basins to improve stormwater drainage
Purchasing additional sandbags for distribution at fire stations
Launching the city’s Storm Event website, which provides information on how the community can prepare for and respond to storms, available in five languages
Temporarily relaxing shelter access criteria for people experiencing homelessness during storm events, allowing first responders and outreach teams to refer people to shelter

The Santa Monica Fire Department will also host “Sandbag Saturdays” on Nov. 7, 14, and 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at Clover Park. Fire Department personnel will fill sandbags for residents and business owners. Outside of these events, Santa Monica residents can fill their own sandbags by picking up free empty sandbags at any Santa Monica fire station and filling them with sand from the sand bin located in the Clover Park parking lot.

The city of Santa Monica will join the U.S. Army for a Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in Beach Parking Lot 4, between Santa Monica Beach and Crescent Bay Park.

Now in its seventh year, the event will feature live performances, a Chinook helicopter flyover, remarks from senior military leaders and local elected officials and more. The ceremony portion of the event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by music and entertainment from noon to 1 p.m.

Begun as a private gathering at the Santa Monica Veterans Memorial in 2020, the annual Veterans Day event has grown into a major community celebration bringing together veterans, service members, military families, distinguished leaders, and neighbors to honor veterans and their service to our county.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here

On October 29, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to Parking Structure 5 near Broadway and 4th Street for a report of an individual experiencing a mental health crisis.

Officers made contact with the individual, who was subsequently taken into police custody for a medical evaluation.

During the response, the 1400 block of 4th Street, the 300 block of Broadway, and the adjacent rear alley were temporarily closed. Thank you for your patience and cooperation while emergency personnel worked at the scene.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.

MALIBU MOVES RACE EVENT AT ZUMA BEACH OCT 24–25 Drivers should expect traffic delays around Zuma Beach and along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) this Saturday and Sunday as Malibu Moves brings runners and walkers to Malibu.

SUNDAY, OCT. 25 | 6:00 AM–1:00 PM

The half marathon, 10K and 5K will use PCH between Zuma Beach and the turnaround near Nicholas Canyon, past Decker Canyon. PCH will remain open, but the southbound lane and shoulder closest to the ocean will be coned off. Expect delays and follow directions from traffic officers.

⚠️ DRIVE WITH CAUTION

✅ Watch for participants, event staff, spectators and equipment.

✅ Allow extra travel time and reduce speed near participants and event activity.

✅ The south entrance to Broad Beach Road will be closed at PCH during the race. The north entrance will remain open, with Sheriff's Deputies managing access.

✅ The Zuma Beach entrance on PCH will close at 4:30 AM Sunday. Race-day access to Zuma Beach parking will be via Westward Beach Road.

✅ Follow posted signs and traffic control instructions.

Day of the Dog, a pet friendly block party along several blocks of Main Street in Santa Monica, celebrating Halloween with a dog costume contest and more.

Dangerous rip currents, elevated surf, and a moderate risk for either minor tidal overflows or coastal flooding through Thursday night for the beaches of L.A./Ventura Countie Malibu City Hall will resume normal operations on Monday, October 19.

Surfs up in this new video from Noshington Wells, filmed this weekend. Noshington Wells

October Swells bring XL waves to Malibu

UPDATE 10/17 6:45 PM

The Bryson Fire remains at 146.2 acres and 61% contained.

Evacuation Warnings have been lifted for MAL-C113 and MAL-C114

All roads have been reopened

SCE has restored power to all circuits in Malibu.

The Red Flag Warning period ended this afternoon.

Malibu EOC has deactivated. City Hall phone services will return to normal.

Malibu City Hall will resume normal operations on Monday, October 19.