California governor orders protective action for Pacific Coast Highway before storms

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Tuesday to protect the Pacific Coast Highway and nearby coastal communities from incoming El Nino storms. The story was reported by UPI, CNN, SURFER Magazine, and the official California State Portal. [1][2][3][4]

The executive order instructs state agencies to prioritize preventive measures before the storm system arrives. UPI reported that the directive also initiates plans to defend the highway, also known as Highway 1, and the coastline from ongoing climate change risks. Newsom declared a state of emergency in late September in preparation for the El Nino season. [1][3]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, government forecasters anticipate the El Nino weather pattern will trigger severe winter storms along the West Coast and the southern United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration previously indicated the weather event is expected to reach peak strength in December. European climate monitoring recorded Pacific sea surface temperatures reaching a record 29.70 degrees Celsius in September. [7][8]

El Nino is the warming phase of sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, which forms part of the global El Nino Southern Oscillation climate phenomenon. UPI reported that the upcoming El Nino season is projected to be one of the strongest on record. [1][5]