• California utilities face heightened operational risks from El Niño, requiring advance preparation for widespread infrastructure disruption.
• NOAA forecasts a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño in fall and winter 2026-27.
• Regional emergencies could constrain mutual assistance, limit access to infrastructure and make planned staging sites unavailable.
• Consecutive storms could strain crews and supplies for weeks, increasing the need for resource planning and coordinated response.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Itron Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief on November 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.