By Zacharias Quintanilla, October 13, 2026
Cal Poly Pomona is preparing for possible flooding, tree damage and commuter disruptions as El Niño strengthens. The university has acquired sandbags, arranged for chainsaw crews and maintained drainage systems in preparation for potential severe weather.
The National Weather Service reported Oct. 8 a strong to very strong El Niño could affect California this fall and winter, potentially bringing heavier rain and stronger winds from January through March 2027. However, the pattern’s specific impacts on campus remain uncertain. The NWS said the event could be stronger than previous El Niño events recorded since 1950.
“It will impact foot traffic, depending on how much water we get,” said CPP’s Director of Maintenance and Operations Brian Allen. “Our obligation is to keep roadways and pathways open as much as possible. So, we are anticipating there to be some issues with that.”
According to biological sciences professor Angel Valdes , an El Niño is a climate pattern marked by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific. Biological sciences study climate and impacts on life. The warmer water shifts eastward across the Pacific and can influence atmospheric conditions and weather patterns around the world.
Computer engineering student Noah Arnold said he is concerned about whether the campus is prepared.
“In the past, during the rainy season, it got flooded by the science building to the point people couldn’t go to class,” Arnold said.
A Reddit post shared in the r/CalPolyPomona community Oct. 11 showed a ceiling panel that had fallen inside the CPP library. Students commented on the post, raising concerns about water damage and leaks in campus buildings such as the library ahead of the rainy season. The cause of the fallen panel was not confirmed.
Allen said the university has prepared for the possibility of water entering buildings or collecting in areas with drainage problems. The Arabian Horse Center is one of the lower-lying areas of campus where rainwater can collect. “It’s the lowest part of campus. Sometimes in heavy rain, you’ll get a lot of settling water there just because it’s the low part of campus,” Allen said.
According to Allen, CPP has purchased three pallets of sandbags in anticipation of localized flooding.
Allen said wind could pose greater concern than rain alone because wet conditions combined with strong winds can increase the risk of trees falling. A four-person team with chainsaws is on call to respond to tree-related problems, Allen said.
In addition, Allen said CPP has hired West Coast Tree Service to trim and prune trees and is cleaning streets, unclogging drains and inspecting sewers. The university also installed a watertight roof on Building 2, according to Allen.
“One thing I have an issue with is the puddles,” criminology student Vanessa Huerta said. “There’s so many, and a lot of potholes. Sometimes I accidentally step into one.”
The university’s Emergency Operations Center monitors weather conditions and can issue alerts to campus, Allen said. He also said CPP coordinates with the Pomona Police Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department during emergencies.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Sept. 21 to support statewide preparations for El Niño. The proclamation directs state agencies to prepare resources and coordinate with local governments in response to potential flooding, landslides, erosion and other weather-related hazards.
“We are preparing for this El Niño early because every Californian deserves to be safe in their home, connected to their community, and protected when severe weather comes,” said Newsom in a prepared statement released by the Governor’s Office of California Sept. 21
Valdes said inland areas such as CPP may experience less impact than coastal communities, although the campus could still see rainfall and wind. Those conditions can contribute to traffic accidents and fallen branches, he said.
Valdes also said it is difficult to know ahead of time which communities will experience the greatest effects, although California and other western states could see unusual rainfall.
“It’s a prediction game,” Valdes said.
