Newsom signs order protecting Pacific Coast Highway from El Niño’s powerful storms

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Tuesday to protect the iconic Pacific Coast Highway from the impacts of El Niño-related storms as a potentially stormy winter approaches. This action comes on the heels of the Democratic governor’s state of emergency declaration issued on Sept. 21, which freed up resources to prepare for what is predicted to be the strongest El Niño event on record to affect California. El Niño is a naturally occurring climate cycle characterized by hotter than normal ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean and altered winds and precipitation patterns along the equator. El Niño has ripple effects on weather patterns worldwide, contributing to a variety of extreme weather events. It can cause flooding in some regions and drought in others. While an intense El Niño does not necessarily mean related extreme weather events will be stronger, it does increase the odds that these extremes will occur. One of the hallmarks of El Nino is its potential to send powerful, moisture-laden storms into the Golden State that bring high winds, towering waves and heavy rainfall, all of which threaten the stability of coastal transportation corridors like Highway 1. High waves have already caused erosion to eat away at the scenic highway. El Niño-driven high tides and pounding surf can significantly worsen such erosion to the point where some coastal roads and rail lines are no longer safe to travel on. The order creates a Highway 1 task force, led by the state transportation and natural resources agencies, to prepare the roadway for coastal storms and tackle longer-term climate change risks. “Highway 1 is more than our nation’s most iconic roadway. It keeps our coastal economy moving,” Newsom said in a statement. “It gets people to work, children to school, goods to local businesses, first responders where they’re needed, and visitors to our legendary beaches.” “We know what repeated closures cost these communities, and we’re putting state agencies to work now to reduce the danger before storms hit,” Newsom said. Newsom also signed another executive order that builds upon the September emergency proclamation, to help communities prepare for storms before they arrive. The order gives state agencies additional tools to reduce flood risks and protect critical infrastructure from the potential impacts of El Niño.