The Central Coast may be in for a very wet winter.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center reports a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter, and a 75% chance this October–December that it becomes one of the strongest on record.
Although El Niño forecasts do not guarantee major storms will hit the Central Coast, it pays to prepare your financial life early. A storm season can test your wallet through cleanup, home repairs, or simply having to replace food after a power outage.
The good news is that a few steps taken now, while skies are still clear, can make a big difference later. Here’s how to get your finances storm-ready.
Review Your Insurance Coverage Now
Insurance is the step with the strictest deadline, so start here. It’s important to understand what situations are covered and what you may be responsible for. This doesn’t just apply to homeowners. Renters may also be responsible for certain property damage, including cars and personal belonging.
Before storm season, check your deductibles and limits. Ask your agent what your deductible is, whether you have additional living expense coverage if you must leave home, and whether your policy covers items like sewer backup or fallen trees.
Next, walk through your home and record photos or video of your belongings, plus serial numbers and receipts for big-ticket items. Store a copy in the cloud or somewhere off-site. This can speed up any claim.
Build Up Your Emergency Fund
Think of an emergency fund as your financial sandbag: it won’t stop the storm, but it can keep a bad week from becoming a bad year. Start by setting a storm-season goal. The long-term target is three to six months of living expenses. If that feels out of reach before winter, start with a smaller goal, such as your insurance deductible or a few nights at a hotel.
Consider setting up an automatic transfer from checking to savings each payday so your fund grows without extra effort. Those emergency-dedicated funds should sit in an account you can access quickly, so consider a savings account over a long-term product, like a Share Certificate.
Finally, keep a little bit of cash at home. Visiting an ATM well before a storm hits can help you stay prepared. Power outages can take down card readers and ATMs. A small amount of cash in your emergency kit can cover gas, groceries or supplies until power returns.
Get Your Documents and Digital Banking Ready
If you have to leave home quickly, you’ll want to manage your money from anywhere. The easiest way to do this is to enroll in Online Banking before you need it. SESLOC offers access from Online Banking and the SESLOC Mobile App, allowing you to see your accounts anywhere you have an internet connection. Mobile check deposit, bill pay and transfers can keep you on track even if roads or branches close.
Next, be sure to sign up for account alerts. If fraud happens during an emergency, account alerts help you spot problems fast and protect your money.
It’s also important to keep important documents, like insurance policies, IDs, deeds, titles and account information in a waterproof container or “grab-and-go” folder. Save digital copies in a secure, password-protected cloud account.
Know Your Financial Options Before You Need Them
Savings should be your first line of defense. But if storm costs outpace your savings, it helps to know your options ahead of time, so you aren’t making a rushed decision in a stressful moment.
SESLOC Instant Funds loans1 are an option to members in good standing for smaller, urgent costs which may not be fully covered by savings. Our quick application will review your SESLOC banking and membership history and if qualified, will provide one or more loan options.
Credit cards can also bridge the gap as you get through the storm and cover costs. But before you start spending, be sure to match them to your budget. Making plans to pay off cards quickly can help you stay out of debt and avoid paying interest.
Know Your Local and State Storm Resources
Sign up for alerts in every area where you live, work or go to school. Alerts only help if you receive them, and many residents still aren’t registered.
San Luis Obispo County:
- Emergency alerts: Register at AlertSLO.org for severe weather and highway closure alerts. You can sign up for Reverse 911 evacuation alerts on the same site.
- Preparedness, forecasts and storm updates: Visit ReadySLO.org, including the County’s 2026–27 El Niño Information page.
- Sand and sandbags: Find locations on the County’s El Niño page or through your city.
- Emergency radio: Tune in to local news stations for updates.
- Questions: Call the County Office of Emergency Services at (805) 781-5678.
Northern Santa Barbara County:
- Emergency alerts: Sign up for ReadySBC Alerts by text, email, phone or landline.
- Preparedness, forecasts and storm updates: Visit ReadySBC.org and the County’s Major Storm page.
- Sand and sandbags: Find locations on ReadySBC.org or through your city, including Santa Maria and Lompoc.
- Emergency radio: Tune to Radio Ready, AM 530.
- Questions: Call the County call center at 1-833-688-5551 (staffed during major incidents).
No one can predict exactly what this winter will bring. But you don’t need to know the forecast to prepare for it. Review your insurance, build your savings, get your documents and digital banking in order, and know your options before you need them. Every small step you take now is one less thing to worry about when the rain arrives.