La Niña pattern brings risk of dry winter, dangerous flooding

MENDOCINO CO., 9/27/24 – Looming La Niña climate conditions preceded by this year’s hot, dry summer could spell trouble for California’s water supply and increase the risk of flooding over the next 12 months, according to officials from the state Department of Water Resources.

In a media briefing to start the state’s “water year,” which begins Oct. 1, DWR Director Karla Nemeth said Thursday that state agencies are preparing for extreme weather events in the coming months.