El Niño 2026–27: A Storm Prep Checklist for Palos Verdes Homes
For homeowners in Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates, the practical takeaway is simple: inspect and maintain your drainage before the rainy season.
Why Storm Prep Matters More on the Peninsula
Most Peninsula lots slope. Water that would pond on a flat South Bay lot picks up speed here, cuts gullies in bare slopes, overtops clogged drains, and soaks into soil next to foundations and walls. Rancho Palos Verdes is still managing a landslide complex that sped up after the wet winters of 2022–23 and 2023–24.
Still, most storm damage we see comes from ordinary things: a crushed downspout line, a buried catch basin, a wall with clogged weep holes. Those are cheap to fix in October and expensive in February.
A Storm Prep Checklist for Palos Verdes Homeowners
1. Test Every Drain With a Hose
Run a garden hose into each area drain, catch basin, and downspout connection, and confirm the water comes out where it should, usually at the curb outlet. If water backs up or never reaches the curb, the line may be clogged, crushed, or disconnected.
2. Clear Gutters, Grates, and Curb Outlets
LA County Public Works asks residents to clear gutters, outdoor drains, and debris before storms. Pull leaves and silt out of grates and catch basins, and check that curb outlets aren't packed with soil.
On hillside lots, concrete slope drains and V-ditches are usually the homeowner's responsibility to maintain. If they're full of debris, water can jump the ditch and erode the slope below.
3. Walk the Slope and Look for Warning Signs
- New cracks in soil at the top of a slope, or soil pulling away from walls and patios
- Leaning or bulging retaining walls
- Gullies, exposed roots, or bare patches where planting has died off
- Doors and windows that suddenly stick, or new cracks in slabs or stucco
If unusual cracks, settling, or earth slippage appear, consult a licensed civil engineer with geotechnical experience or a licensed geologist promptly.
4. Turn Irrigation Down or Off
Shut off automatic irrigation during rainy periods. If you're in or near Rancho Palos Verdes' landslide area, check the city's current irrigation restrictions.
5. Protect Bare Soil Before the Storm
Mulch and jute or coir netting work best when installed before soil becomes saturated. Plastic sheeting is a temporary solution that can redirect water downhill.
New plants installed this fall may not establish enough roots to control erosion this winter, but they can help provide long-term protection.
6. Have Sandbags Ready
LA County fire stations distribute sandbags. Check the County's sandbag locations and call ahead.
Sandbags are intended to redirect shallow water away from structures, not create large dams or send runoff onto neighboring properties.
7. Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Register for Alert LA County and applicable local emergency notification systems. If you live near a canyon or below a steep slope, know your evacuation route.
When to Call a Contractor vs. an Engineer
Call a licensed landscape or drainage contractor for clogged or broken drain lines, downspouts that discharge onto soil, missing area drains, failed slope planting, and surface water ponding against the house.
Contact a geotechnical or civil engineer first when you see evidence of moving ground, widening soil cracks, leaning retaining walls, foundation damage, or water seeping from a slope after rain.
At Rosewood Landscape, we build hillside retaining walls, French drains, and drainage systems, coordinating with engineers and local authorities when plans and permits are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Niño Going to Bring Heavy Rain to Los Angeles This Winter?
El Niño can influence seasonal weather patterns, but it does not guarantee heavy rainfall in Southern California. Local conditions can differ from seasonal expectations.
When Should I Start Storm Preparation?
Before the rainy season. Drainage repairs and slope protection are easier to complete before soil becomes saturated.
Where Can I Get Free Sandbags Near Palos Verdes?
LA County fire stations distribute sandbags. Check the County's current distribution locations and call ahead to confirm availability.
How Do I Know if My Yard Drains Are Working?
Run a hose into each drain and check that water reaches its approved discharge point. If water backs up or surfaces elsewhere, the line may need cleaning, repair, or replacement.
Should I Worry About Landslides Outside Portuguese Bend?
Most Peninsula homes are outside the mapped landslide complex, but hillside properties can still experience drainage and slope problems. New ground movement should be evaluated by a qualified engineer.
Talk to Someone Who Builds on These Hillsides
If you want a second set of eyes on your drainage before the rain starts, call Rosewood Landscape at (424) 533-3600.
We're based in Palos Verdes Estates and work throughout the Peninsula.
Contact Rosewood Landscape to discuss your drainage concerns →