On Oct. 21, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released an All Facilities Letter, AFL 26-30: State of Emergency for El Niño. The AFL notifies healthcare facilities of Governor Newsom’s Sept. 21 state of emergency declaration for El Niño conditions expected this season. Forecasters believe the El Niño could become the strongest one on record.
Facilities must have a disaster and mass casualty program with emergency plans in place in case of power loss, flooding, evacuation or other conditions that may affect patient and resident health and safety. Healthcare facilities must also report all emergency and disaster-related incidents to their local CDPH district office, local public health officer and Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC).
Ensuring reliable power for hospitals is also a key HASC advocacy priority for 2027. HASC plans to strengthen engagement with Southern California Edison (SCE) and other utility providers to reinforce hospitals’ essential role as critical infrastructure and improve coordination during potential service disruptions. Priorities include advocating for earlier Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) notifications, maintaining accurate emergency contact information and exploring alternative grid configurations where feasible to minimize disruptions to hospital operations.
With El Niño bringing increased risks of flooding, high winds and landslides alongside ongoing wildfire and power reliability concerns, HASC encourages members to review emergency response plans, verify utility contact information, confirm access to SCE’s Public Safety Partner Portal and test backup power systems.
HASC will continue working with utility providers and member hospitals to strengthen emergency coordination, improve advance communication and protect continuity of patient care.