The San Benito County Board of Supervisors declared a local state of emergency following the governor’s statewide emergency declaration in preparation for the upcoming El Niño. County supervisors unanimously approved the declaration as the county takes “a proactive, preventative approach to forecasts calling for historically rainy winter months with the possibility of flooding and other damage.” State and local emergency declarations will allow property owners and local jurisdictions to clear creeks, culverts, ditches and other infrastructure that could obstruct water flow without the usual approval process from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to the county.

Other El Niño and flooding news:

• Colorado Politics (Denver): El Niño boosts Colorado rainfall amid historic heat
• Time: Why California just declared a state of emergency due to El Niño
• The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.): How El Niño could affect California rain, snow and water supplies
• The Land Desk: Blog: RERUN: Four Corners floods: past, present, and … future?