ONE BIG THING: El NIÑO IN LA
What’s Happening?
El Niño is a periodic climate pattern where water in the Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than normal, shifting weather patterns around the world, including in LA.
If you’ve been to the beach recently, you might have noticed the pleasant but concerningly warm ocean temperatures — a sign of what’s to come.
A recent forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found >90% likelihood of a “very strong” El Niño event beginning this fall, with a 75% chance that it exceeds the strength of any previous El Niño event dating back to at least 1950.
Why it Matters: Risks to LA
Combined with rising global temperatures from climate change, this unprecedented climate phenomenon layers on top of existing risks facing LA, including:
- Landslides in hillside areas and burn scar zones
- Dam capacity and flooding risks
- Aging infrastructure like water pipes, electrical lines, and street line poles
Type in your address here to view specific hazards in your area
What’s Next: How to Prepare
As individuals and as a city, we need to do whatever we can to get ahead of this and plan for potential impacts. Our Emergency Management Department is coordinating response plans, while City departments are working to reinforce areas vulnerable to landslides, identify known flood locations, and they’ve cleared 31,000 of the city’s ~40,000 storm drains over the past 5 months.
But preparation starts at home, too. Take the following steps right now so you can be more prepared as impacts from El Niño increase.
Two More Quick Hits
- Federal & Local Law Enforcement ‘Fusion Centers’
This week in City Council, we raised serious questions about “Regional Threat Assessment Centers” – also known as “Joint Regional Intelligence Centers” or “Fusion Centers.” These are sites run by the FBI designed to facilitate information-sharing between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
As the Trump administration continues its inhumane deportation agenda, we have legitimate concerns about the potential for these sites to be used by the federal government to carry out their authoritarian agenda.
When Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez asked what safeguards are in place to ensure federal requests comply with LA’s Sanctuary City policy, the department pointed to its trust in federal agents’ “integrity.”
We wanted to learn more, including by visiting one of the centers ourselves — but we were told we could not access one without a security clearance.
The evidence we do have raises serious questions.
A bipartisan Senate investigation found that fusion centers could endanger civil liberties and are “more often than not” unrelated to terrorism. More recently, the Brennan Center documented cases in which fusion centers targeted minority communities and protest movements under the guise of counterterrorism or public safety.
Despite these concerns, the City Council voted 9–5 to move forward with funding for the fusion centers.
2. Calling All Art Lovers
Join us tomorrow, September 19th starting at 4PM in celebrating Frogtown Artwalks 20th Anniversary!
Every two years, the path alongside the Los Angeles River is populated with pop-up galleries, art installations, musical performances and of course, delicious food vendors to welcome thousands of art lovers from all over the city. The artwalk was founded in 2006 by a small group of local business/artists with the mission to introduce artists to one another and activate the beautiful landscape.
To learn more visit frogtownarts.com, and we will see you there!
NEW SEGMENT: Small Business Spotlight
Yesterday, we held our first meeting as Chair of the City Council’s Economic Development & Jobs Committee, where we’ll be working on policies to create good jobs, support local businesses, and build a stronger economy for Los Angeles.
We’ll be sharing more about the exciting opportunities we see for growing LA’s economy in the weeks to come. But we also want to celebrate the people already doing the work every day — the small business owners, workers, and entrepreneurs who keep our neighborhoods going and make Los Angeles the city it is.
That’s why we’re launching a monthly segment to spotlight a small business in CD13 that’s making a difference in our community.
This month, we’re proud to present – Arsenal Boxing School & Gym in Little Armenia!
Located right off the 101 and Hollywood Blvd, co-founders Arsen and Samvel Poghosyan immigrated to Los Angeles from Armenia and now run this small business, offering boxing classes while also partnering with local schools and providing programs for local youth.
Learn more at arsenalboxingschool.com.
Save the Date – Community Events
Friday, October 2nd – Día del Sonidero(FREE music and celebration of the Sonideros)
Save the Date – Organizing & Civic Engagement
Tuesday, September 29th –Business Emergency Preparedness Workshop
(FREE workshop on business disaster resources)
Thursday, September 24th – Credit Confidence Work Shop(FREE workshop on how to take control of your financial future)
Thursday, September 24th – Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Community Meeting #5(Public meeting focused on community priorities, economic opportunities, and local needs)
Happy National Service Dog Month!
Meet Wrangler, our pet of the week!
This week in Council, we uplifted the life-changing impact of service alongside some of Canine Companion’s cutest and well trained service dogs to-be, including Wrangler VII aka Cuddle Boy!