LOS ANGELES — Before the first major storm hits, Los Angeles Unified is getting ready. District personnel are clearing drains, checking school roofs and windows, trimming trees and preparing emergency supplies to help keep water, wind and power outages from disrupting school communities.
With the possibility of a strong El Niño bringing heavy rain and severe weather to Southern California this winter, the District is preparing now. What happens before a storm can make a difference in how safely schools respond when one arrives.
“Preparing for severe weather starts well before the first raindrop,” Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “We can’t control the weather, but we can take steps now to protect our students and employees and help our schools stay ready. We’ll continue to monitor conditions and keep families informed as the season progresses.”
What We Do:
Essential weather information provided to us by the National Weather Service allows the District to prepare beforehand. Across the District, Maintenance and Operations staff are working with school administrators to identify and address potential trouble spots before heavy rain and high winds arrive. Specifically, this team:
- Ensures school roofs, windows, and doors are in good working order to protect against water and wind entry.
- Clears all rain gutters and drains of debris to ensure rainwater flows safely and properly to desired locations. Sandbags, tarps, plastic sheeting, and other materials are readied and prepositioned.
- Trims trees along with other plants that might endanger overhead lines or equipment during windy conditions.
- Tests emergency equipment including pumps and emergency lighting systems.
- Confirms school emergency bins are stocked with flashlights, emergency drinking water and other supplies/equipment.
Preparation also means making sure people know what to do. Every Los Angeles Unified school maintains an annually updated Integrated Safe School Plan following the District's emergency preparedness protocols. Schools conduct emergency drills to help students and staff understand how to respond.
While El Niño can influence seasonal weather patterns, it does not guarantee a particular amount of rainfall or specific storm impacts. The District will use information from the National Weather Service and local emergency officials to monitor conditions and guide preparations as the season progresses.
What You Can Do:
Families have an important role in preparedness, too. In an emergency, the District and schools communicate directly with our community through phone, text, and email messages and on District and school websites, so we encourage families to keep their contact information current. You can do this by visiting or contacting your school directly and making the request to update contact information.
Any regional and local emergency responses will also be shared on our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook @LASchools.
It is important to remain alert to potential hazards along school routes, including downed electrical lines and standing water following periods of heavy rain. Families should monitor weather alerts, follow instructions from emergency officials, avoid flooded roadways and limit unnecessary driving during severe weather. Families are encouraged to review safe routes to and from school with their children, follow directions from local authorities and report any safety concerns to school staff.
If conditions require changes to school schedules or operations, Los Angeles Unified will share information through official communication channels. Families should rely on verified District and school updates rather than rumors or unconfirmed social media posts.
Preparing for a storm is a shared effort — from the crews maintaining school buildings to the principals reviewing emergency plans and the families making sure they can receive critical updates. By taking these steps before the rain begins, Los Angeles Unified is working to help students and employees stay safe and keep school communities as prepared as possible for the winter ahead.
For storm preparedness, emergency alerts, and heat safety information, our community can visit:
- Los Angeles Unified: District Social Media Account |Office of Emergency Management | Office of Environmental Health and Safety
- City of Los Angeles: NotifyLA Emergency Alerts | Emergency Management Department
- Los Angeles County: AlertLA Emergency Alerts | Ready LA County | Office of Education El Niño Resources | Department of Public Health
- State of California: California Office of Emergency Services
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For the most up-to-date information, please follow Los Angeles Unified on social media @laschools.