Preparing for Power Outages During El Niño Flooding

Excerpt

With a very strong El Niño expected for fall and winter 2026–27, emergency managers are taking another look at flooding and the power outages that can come with it. Mobile, self-generating power can help keep critical operations running when the grid or fuel deliveries are disrupted.

Key Takeaways

• NOAA says there is a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño during fall and winter 2026–27.
• Flooding can create power problems at the same time emergency teams need communications, medical equipment, shelters, and other critical services operating.
• Backup power planning should include questions about fuel availability, deployment location, and how long systems can operate during an extended outage.
• Mobile, self-generating power gives emergency teams another option when the grid is unavailable, or power needs to move during a disaster.
• Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrids have already been deployed for emergency preparedness and disaster response in California and Florida.

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Emergency managers across the U.S. are sounding the alarm as we navigate an El Niño storm season. In California, one Emergency Management Director that we spoke with shared the  challenges his team is getting ready to face, his concerns about possible flooding during the upcoming El Niño season and the risk of long power outages that could come with those storms.

According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, El Niño is getting stronger, and there is more than a 90% chance of a very strong event in fall and winter 2026–27. NOAA also says El Niño often changes winter storm patterns and can bring more rain to California and other southern states, but the effects are different each time.

Flooding and Power Outages Can Go Hand in Hand

When storms cause flooding, electricity can quickly become a problem. Emergency communications, shelters, medical equipment, command centers, charging, lighting, and other services all need power, even if the main grid is down or damaged.

The National Weather Service says communities should be ready for power outages during floods. They recommend planning for possible power loss and making sure backup power is available for operations that cannot go without electricity.

Generators are key for emergency planning, but long outages can create another problem: fuel supply. If roads are flooded, damaged, or closed, it can be much harder to get diesel where it is needed, especially as more people rely on backup power.

This means it is important to consider more than just owning a generator. Emergency managers should know how long their backup power will last, what to do if fuel deliveries are delayed, and if they can move power if they need to relocate operations.

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Where Mobile, Self-Generating Power Fits

Mobile power gives emergency teams more flexibility when things change. Teams can set up a system before bad weather and move it where it is needed, instead of keeping it in one place.

Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrids use solar power, batteries, and clean hydrogen to provide off-grid power, so they do not need constant diesel deliveries. They are made for quick setup and can be used for emergency communications, command centers, medical services, charging, and mobile workspaces.

This is especially helpful for healthcare and emergency services, which may need reliable power at different locations during an emergency.

Mobility is important during a flood because power needs can change. At first, the Emergency Operations Center might be the priority, but later, a shelter, communications site, temporary medical area, or another part of the community could need  power as well.

Lessons From Previous Disasters

After Hurricane Ian hit Florida, Sesame Solar sent Mobile Nanogrids to places where power and fuel were hard to get. Responders still needed electricity for communications and other emergency work, even though roads and infrastructure were damaged. The Mobile Nanogrids gave them off-grid power without needing regular diesel deliveries.

California communities are getting ready for similar problems. Santa Barbara County's Office of Emergency Management added a Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrid Emergency Response Trailer to provide off-grid power during disasters and outages. The system can support communications, medical devices, charging, and other services when regular power is not available.

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Plan for the Power Outage Before It Happens

No forecast can tell emergency managers exactly what will happen in their community months ahead. Even a very strong El Niño does not mean every part of Southern California will have severe flooding. As NOAA says in its current El Niño outlook, the usual impacts become more likely as El Niño gets stronger, but nothing is guaranteed.

Communities can look closely at their backup power plans. Which operations need electricity without interruption? How long can current generators run if refueling is difficult? Are there locations that could need temporary power? Can power be moved if emergency operations have to shift elsewhere?

Flooding always brings unpredictable situations. Making sure important operations have a reliable power source, even if the grid and fuel deliveries are disrupted, is something you can plan for in advance.

If your organization is updating its emergency power plans for the upcoming season, contact Sesame Solar to learn how Mobile Nanogrids can help with your preparedness and response needs.

FAQ

Does a strong El Niño mean Southern California will definitely flood?

No. El Niño can make certain weather patterns more likely, and NOAA says strong events have historically been associated with wetter winter conditions across parts of California. Variation from one event to another remains considerable, so a strong El Niño should not be treated as a guarantee that a particular community will flood.

Why can flooding cause problems for backup power?

Flooding can damage power systems and make roads difficult or impossible to use. Conventional generators may continue providing power, but longer outages can create problems if fuel trucks cannot reach the locations where they are needed.

Why is mobile power useful during an emergency?

The location that needs power can change during a response. Mobile systems can be moved to support shelters, communications, command operations, medical services, or other temporary operations rather than being limited to one permanent facility.

How are Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrids different from diesel generators?

Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrids use solar power, battery storage, and clean hydrogen to generate and store energy off-grid. They are built to operate without the continuous diesel deliveries required by conventional generators, lessening reliance on a fuel supply chain that may itself be disrupted during an emergency.

What can a Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrid support?

The systems can be configured for emergency communications, command and control, charging, medical equipment, mobile workspaces, and other applications. The appropriate configuration depends on what an organization needs to keep operating during an outage.

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