San Diego offers 3 workshops for seniors as El Niño intensifies

Starting Nov. 4, San Diego seniors will have access to three specific training sessions designed to prepare them for the coming El Niño weather patterns. The workshops address practical survival steps, including how to assemble a go kit with medications and documents, how to draft a personal disaster plan, and how to register for emergency alerts.

The city is prioritizing the aging population because standard disaster resources often miss the specific needs of older adults. Deputy Fire Chief Willy Melendez, who oversees the Office of Emergency Services, stated that these sessions are tailored for that demographic. He noted that officials want to ensure the aging community is just as prepared as the rest of the city.

The preparation effort follows a record-setting month of rainfall in the region. San Diego received more than twice the normal amount of rain for October. Forecasters expect the current El Niño cycle to strengthen further, potentially becoming the most powerful on record. This climate pattern brings warmer Pacific waters that typically result in heavy rain, strong winds, mountain snow, and coastal flooding for California.

City crews are already working to mitigate storm risks. They are cleaning drains, clearing storm channels, and staging temporary pumps. Staff monitor weather conditions around the clock as they prepare for the increased precipitation expected in the coming weeks.

The first workshop is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Nov. 4 at the Cathy Hopper Friendship Center on Bannock Avenue. A second session will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the San Ysidro Senior Center. The final event is set for 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the George L. Stevens Senior Center.

These events are held in partnership with the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department's AgeWell Services. Staff will explain how home-bound seniors can secure emergency transportation and how individuals with hearing or vision loss can receive accessibility support. In a city statement, officials confirmed that AgeWell staff will also accept requests for sandbag deliveries to residents in flood-prone areas over the next two weeks.

Sandbag deliveries begin on Nov. 14. Residents can call 619-525-8247 to make a request. Additional details about the city's El Niño response are available at sandiego.gov/ElNino.