County of Ventura prepares for winter weather amid strong El Niño forecast

Oxnard residents are being urged to prepare their homes, review evacuation routes and sign up for emergency alerts as Ventura County ramps up for a winter storm season that forecasters warn could be unusually wet and potentially historic.

The Vida Newspaper reported that the National Weather Service expects significant El Niño conditions to continue intensifying through the end of 2026, with the possibility that the event could become the strongest on record. Strong El Niño patterns historically raise the odds of stormier, wetter winters along the Central Coast — and that has county agencies coordinating early rather than waiting for the first heavy rain.

First responder agencies provided an update on their preparations to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, October 6, laying out work already underway across county departments.

What the county is doing now

The county's Public Works Agency has begun inspecting and maintaining critical infrastructure ahead of the season, including cleaning debris basins, storm drains and flood channels, and monitoring roads and other areas vulnerable to flooding or storm damage, according to the county.

That work matters directly for Oxnard, a low-lying coastal city where storm drains and channels carry runoff toward the coast during heavy rain events. County officials cautioned that heavy rainfall increases the risk of flooding, landslides and debris flows — particularly in and below areas previously scarred by wildfires, where bare slopes can shed mud and rock quickly during intense downpours.

Coastal hazards are also in focus. Officials noted that while flooding and high surf can occur in any winter storm, strong El Niño conditions can elevate that risk and affect locations that don't typically see coastal flooding — especially if storms arrive at the same time as peak high tide events. For beachfront neighborhoods and coastal zones around Oxnard and neighboring Port Hueneme, that combination is a key concern.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating countywide preparedness efforts and working to make sure residents — particularly those in higher-risk areas — understand the hazards and know how to receive timely emergency information. The Ventura County Fire Department is preparing personnel and resources for potential storm response while sharing flood-preparedness guidance with residents.

A warning for burn-sareas and flood-prone zones

County officials were especially blunt with residents living in or below recent burn areas: intense rainfall can produce dangerous debris flows with little warning, and evacuation warnings or orders may be issued based on forecast rainfall rates before significant rain even begins.

"While we cannot predict exactly what this winter will bring, we know that early preparation can make a significant difference when severe weather occurs," said Patrick Maynard, Director of Emergency Services, in a statement. "Our focus is on preparing early, coordinating closely with our cities and partner agencies, and making sure residents understand the hazards that may affect their communities. We encourage everyone to use this time to prepare their homes, know their evacuation routes, and sign up for VC Alert."

"When storms arrive, conditions can change quickly, and being prepared ahead of time is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself and your family safe," Maynard added.

How Oxnard residents can prepare

The county is directing residents to its preparedness website, ready.venturacounty.gov, which includes flood maps, sandbag locations, guidance on building an emergency kit, and instructions for signing up for VC Alert, the county's emergency notification system used to send evacuation warnings and orders.

Basic steps officials recommend include stocking an emergency kit with essentials, knowing your evacuation routes before a storm hits, and signing up for VC Alert so warnings reach you in time to act. Residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas should also identify where to get sandbags and how to protect doorways and drains around their property.

Because evacuation decisions in burn areas may be triggered by forecast rainfall rates rather than actual conditions on the ground, officials stress that residents should be ready to leave quickly if a warning is issued — and should not wait for rain to start falling.

What comes next

County agencies said they will continue coordinating communications and messaging throughout the season to ensure residents can get the information and resources they need as conditions develop. The October 6 briefing to the Board of Supervisors was framed as an early checkpoint in a season-long effort, with public works crews continuing infrastructure inspections and maintenance as storms approach.

For Oxnard, the practical takeaway is timing: the work of clearing drains and readying crews is the county's job, but officials say the most important preparation happens household by household — before the first major storm of the season arrives.

Residents can find preparedness resources and sign up for emergency notifications at ready.venturacounty.gov.