PG&E Readies Crews for El Niño Winter Storms

The utility has formed a task force and installed monitoring cameras as El Niño conditions raise flood and landslide risks across Northern California.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Forecasts

Wide photograph of a reservoir edge under overcast winter sky, with a monitoring pole on a muddy embankment and a scarred forested hillside behind it. — PG&E has formed a task force and installed reservoir and watershed cameras to monitor flood and landslide risks as El Niño conditions build across Northern California. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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PG&E has assembled a task force to analyze potential El Niño impacts, particularly flooding, landslides and soil movement. The utility has also installed cameras in reservoirs and watersheds to monitor conditions and detect debris flows that could threaten downstream communities.

Why it matters

El Niño conditions could strengthen dangerous storms in Northern California this winter, raising the risk of flooding and power disruptions for residents across the state. PG&E's advance preparation aims to reduce outages and speed restoration when severe weather arrives.

PG&E's network of 1,650 weather stations gives it a 96-hour warning window before anticipated weather, according to the utility. The forecast severity of this winter's El Niño storms and the specific communities most at risk remain unresolved.

The players

PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is the major investor-owned utility serving much of Northern and Central California.

Tyler Gayski

Gayski is PG&E's Superintendent of Electric Operations for the San Jose Division and has worked for the utility for 14 years.

The details

PG&E's meteorology team uses early warning to identify high-risk areas and mobilize crews and materials ahead of forecast storms. Cameras in reservoirs and watersheds help detect potential debris flows, and the utility plans to install rain gauges in burn scar areas left by past wildfires.

November 10, 2026: Article published on PG&E's winter storm preparations.
This winter: Potential El Niño-strengthened storms expected to reach Northern California.

Seasonal Patterns

El Niño is a recurring Pacific climate pattern that has been linked to wetter winters in California, and PG&E's task force reflects utilities adjusting operations to that seasonal risk. The extraction does not provide historical comparison data for past El Niño winters.

Residents in flood-prone and burn-scar areas should monitor official warnings as winter storms approach. Keep emergency supplies ready and plan for possible power interruptions during severe weather.

The takeaway

Preparation ahead of storm season can shorten outages and reduce damage, so households should review their own readiness plans before winter weather arrives.