Newsom declares state of emergency as California braces for powerful El Niño

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as a powerful, potentially historic El Niño develops in the Pacific Ocean. This super El Niño has already broken temperature records and is expected to bring severe winter storms and flooding to California during the 2026-2027 wet season. In Malibu, the city issued warnings for Point Dume State Beach, where severe beach erosion has exposed concrete and steel pilings, creating hazardous conditions and steep sand cliffs for visitors.