By admin 
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As Southern California endures a dangerous October heat wave, Los Angeles officials are preparing for a potentially powerful El Niño season.
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At the new Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Emergency Operations Center, the warnings went out that the El Niño weather event that is forecast has the potential, with warmer ocean water, to deliver damaging weather conditions to Southern California.
The National Weather Service said strong El Niño events can increase the likelihood of wetter-than-normal conditions across Southern California during the winter.
“Very strong El Niño events increase the odds of dangerous weather and coastal conditions, including flash floods, burn scar debris flows, severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and tornadoes, coastal flooding, beach erosion and dangerous rip currents,” said Ariel Cohen of the National Weather Service.
City officials said Los Angeles has already begun taking steps to reduce potential damage and protect property and roadways from possible storm impacts, particularly in the Palisades burn area.
“Our bureau of engineering is actively assessing vulnerable hillsides, burn areas and locations at risk of erosion, debris flows and flooding,” said Steve Kang of Los Angeles City Public Works.
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Meanwhile, officials are also urging residents to take precautions during the ongoing heat wave.
“We have cooling centers set up throughout the city of Los Angeles, and we always recommend them for those individuals who don’t have a way to cool their homes to take advantage of those,” LAFD Chief Jaime Moore said.
The city said cooling centers remain available for residents seeking relief from the high temperatures.
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A list of cooling centers in the city of Los Angeles is available here.
Information on cooling centers available in Southern California can be found in the links below:
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– Los Angeles County
– Orange County
– Riverside County
– San Bernardino County