Gov. Newsom orders protections for California coast ahead of El Niño storms

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order aimed at protecting the Pacific Coast Highway and California coastal communities from the potential impacts of upcoming El Niño storms, CBS News Bay Area reported.

The order directs state agencies to prioritize preventative measures before the storms hit and to plan for increasing climate threats to the highway beyond the storm season.

Newsom emphasized the importance of Highway 1 for the coastal economy, transportation, and emergency response, noting the high costs of repeated closures to communities.

The executive order follows a recent state of emergency proclamation due to El Niño, which forecasters predict could be the strongest on record, and builds on previous efforts to reduce flood risks and protect critical infrastructure.

The governor highlighted that emergency repairs on the Big Sur Highway 1 corridor have cost approximately $312 million from 2020 through 2026, underscoring the need for proactive risk reduction to protect communities and businesses.