On Thursday, October 1, 2026, County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations, Jon O’Brien, attended the Storm Season Press Conference hosted by Los Angeles County Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda Solis.
Held at the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration, this press conference marked the official start of storm season and featured important updates for community members on storm-related considerations, safety measures, and preparedness resources offered by Los Angeles County. Supervisor Solis was joined by LACoFD Chief O’Brien and other County officials, including Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna, Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management Director Kevin McGowan, as well as representatives from the National Weather Service. Officials warned the public of heavy rain, flooding, debris flows, and coastal hazards due to predictions of a strong El Niño.
As Southern California faces unpredictable weather, officials encouraged residents to take the necessary steps to prepare now.
Prior to the press conference, Supervisor Solis issued a local emergency proclamation on September 23, 2026, to strengthen coordination among Los Angeles County departments and state partners in preparation for El Niño. Each department is collaborating to boost evacuation and emergency shelters capabilities in the event of an incident, as well as emergency response and communication.
The LACoFD encourages everyone to prepare for a disaster before a disaster occurs. For preparedness information, resources, and emergency updates, visit ready.lacounty.gov/rain.
