Public Safety · San Mateo County
San Mateo County Declares El Niño Emergency; Pier Stabilization Begins Oct. 21
San Mateo County officials have declared an emergency in anticipation of severe coastal impacts from El Niño storms projected for late November through January. The declaration allows the county to activate anti-gouging laws and preposition resources, as supervisors warn that tides could reach unprecedented levels of up to 10 feet. In Pacifica, emergency stabilization work on the damaged Municipal Pier is scheduled to begin on October 21, 2026, with a large crane mobilizing to reinforce the structure before winter storms arrive.