Retrospective coverage for October 20, 2026. First published October 26, 2026 06:07 -07:00 (Pacific time). This is an AI-assisted brief compiled from linked public source records; the coverage date is not the publication date.
San Diego Unified outlined preparations for the coming El Niño season on Oct. 20, including clearing roof drains and drainage inlets, trimming vegetation and arranging supplies and contractor support. The district identified at least 10 of its 175 schools as being in flood-prone areas. District announcement.
The effort also includes classroom instruction. An El Niño Explorer Week scheduled for Nov. 2–6 was designed to explain Pacific Ocean conditions, atmospheric rivers and local weather hazards.
School police and district staff were coordinating emergency plans with city and county operations centers. The announcement addressed possible temporary shelter use as a contingency, not as a declaration that campuses were already operating as shelters.
Families were asked to keep emergency contact information current so the district could communicate about changing conditions. San Diego Unified also established an online El Niño resource page bringing together preparedness information for families and staff. Campus preparations and family resources.