Davis Residents Prepare for El Niño Winter
Local weather expert advises residents to identify drainage patterns before the arrival of heavy winter rains.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Current Conditions
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As forecasters predict severe El Niño conditions for the Davis area this winter, long-time weather observer Don Shor is urging residents to prepare. Identifying property drainage paths is a key step to managing potential saturation during heavy rainfall.
Why it matters
Understanding local hydrology is critical for Davis residents as strong El Niño systems can lead to increased precipitation. Proactive planning helps mitigate the impact of flooding on homes and gardens during the wet season.
Don Shor has tracked local weather patterns in the region for more than 40 years to inform his current projections. His personal farm in Dixon features a 600-foot bioswale to manage water runoff.
The players
Don Shor
He is the owner of Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis and a weather observer who has tracked local conditions for over four decades.
California Office of Emergency Services
This state agency is responsible for maintaining the MyHazards 2.0 map to help Californians identify their local risk level.
The details
Residents are encouraged to walk their property during rain to identify exactly where water flows once the ground reaches saturation. Shor, who owns the Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, offers this guidance based on his decades of experience monitoring the area's climate.
Timeline
Winter 2026: The window when severe El Niño rain is predicted for the Davis area.
Seasonal Patterns
This emphasis on localized flood planning follows the broader implementation of the California Office of Emergency Services' MyHazards 2.0 flood risk map. It encourages residents to integrate personal observation with official state resources during extreme weather cycles.
Residents should inspect their properties to identify where water pools or flows during heavy storms to prevent potential saturation damage. You can utilize the MyHazards 2.0 flood risk map to assess your specific flood risk levels.
The takeaway
Proactive planning during the dry period can significantly reduce the severity of water damage once winter storms arrive. Shor recommends that homeowners use the upcoming weeks to prepare their landscape drainage before the first heavy rains hit.
Further reading
For additional updates on local climate patterns, visit the Davis Current Conditions page.
More information
Residents can assess their specific property risks by viewing the MyHazards 2.0 flood risk map.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KDRT 95.7FM Davis.
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