California may be headed into one of the strongest El Niño winters on record. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has an El Niño Advisory in effect and says a strong-to-very strong El Niño is likely through January–March 2027. NOAA’s winter outlook, released October 15, favors wetter-than-average conditions across the southern U.S., California included. Every inch of rain that lands on your plant, yard or building has to go somewhere, and at most facilities that means a pump. Here is how to get your pumps ready before the storms arrive, and what to do if one fails when you need it most.
What El Niño Could Mean for California This Winter
El Niño doesn’t guarantee a flood, but it does shift the odds toward wetter weather across much of California. In a very strong El Niño, the Pacific jet stream tends to shift south and east, steering more Pacific storms into the state. For context, the last two El Niño events of similar strength were rough on California:
- 1982–83: about $854 million in flood damage at the time, with record seasonal rainfall at hundreds of weather stations.
- 1997–98: roughly double the normal rainfall across much of the state and about $850 million in flood and storm damage, according to Golden Gate Weather Services.
Forecasters also note that the heaviest El Niño rain usually arrives in mid-to-late winter (January through March), not in the fall. That gives facility and maintenance teams a window right now to inspect, repair and stage equipment while the weather is still dry.
Which Pumps Matter Most When Heavy Rain Hits
Most storm problems at industrial and municipal sites come down to a handful of pump types:
- Submersible pumps in sump pits, basements, utility vaults, elevator pits and loading-dock drains. They sit in the water and usually start on a float, so a stuck float or tired motor goes unnoticed until the pit overflows.
- Stormwater lift stations that move runoff from low areas, parking structures and yards to the storm drain. Duplex stations depend on both pumps, the alternator and the high-level alarm working together.
- Sewage and wastewater lift stations, which see a surge of inflow and infiltration during storms, along with more rags, grit and debris.
- Dewatering and self-priming pumps used to clear excavations, containment areas, ponds and flooded equipment pads.
If you’re not sure which pump fits a particular pit or flow rate, our guide to choosing the right sump pump for the job is a good starting point.
For a closer look at the KSB Amarex KRT pictured here, our LinkedIn series covers why submersible pumps are so common in lift stations, how non-clogging hydraulics handle rags, wipes and debris and the service and repair support behind a reliable station.
Your El Niño Pump Preparedness Checklist
Work through this list on every pump that keeps water out of your facility. Start with the ones that would cause the most damage or downtime if they failed.
1. Run every pump under real conditions
Pumps that sit idle all summer are the ones that fail in the first storm. Fill each pit or wet well with water and confirm the pump starts on its float, pumps down at a normal rate and shuts off cleanly. While it runs, compare the amp draw to the motor nameplate and listen for grinding, rattling or cavitation.
2. Clean out pits, wet wells and intake screens
Sediment, leaves, trash and rags are the leading cause of stuck floats and clogged impellers. Clean the pit, make sure the floats or level sensors move freely and clear any intake screens or grates upstream. Clear roof drains, catch basins and trench drains at the same time so water reaches the pump instead of pooling somewhere else.
3. Check valves and discharge lines
A failed or missing check valve lets water flow back into the pit and makes the pump short-cycle. Confirm each check valve is installed in the right direction and closes properly, then walk the discharge line all the way to its outlet. A crushed pipe or an outfall buried in landscaping can quietly cut a pump’s capacity in half.
4. Test controls and alarms
Trip the high-level alarm and make sure someone actually gets the call or text. On duplex systems, confirm the controller alternates pumps and brings on the second pump when the first can’t keep up. Look inside control panels for moisture, corrosion and loose connections.
5. Inspect motors and seals on submersibles
For larger submersibles, a quick insulation resistance (megger) test on the motor and cable can catch a failure before it happens. Check seal leak sensors and the oil chamber for water. Milky oil means the seals are letting water in. Our posts on stator oil for submersible pumps and submersible pump sealing explain what to look for.
6. Confirm backup power
Big storms often bring power outages, and a pump without power is just a weight at the bottom of a pit. Test the generator and automatic transfer switch under load, top off fuel and confirm the generator can handle the starting current of every pump it’s expected to run.
7. Plan for a pump that fails anyway
Write down the make, model, horsepower, voltage and discharge size of every critical pump, and take a photo of each nameplate. Decide now whether you’ll keep a spare on the shelf, stage a portable pump or call for an emergency replacement. That decision is much easier to make in November than in the middle of a flood.
8. Review your stormwater compliance plan
Many California industrial facilities are covered under the State Water Board’s Industrial General Permit and keep a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). If pumps move water out of containment areas or sumps at your site, make sure they’re working the way your SWPPP says they do before the wet weather starts.
The best time to find a bad float switch is on a dry afternoon in November, not at 2 a.m. in a downpour.
Do You Have the Emergency Pump You Need?
Ask yourself one question: if your most important sump or lift station pump failed tomorrow, what would you do? If the answer is “call around and hope someone has one,” now is the time to make a plan. When a big storm hits, every facility in the region needs a pump at the same time.
DXP Pacific helps facilities across California and Nevada get ready before the rain and respond fast when it comes:
- Pre-season pump checks on submersible, sump and lift station pumps.
- Emergency and standby pumps: help sizing and sourcing submersible and self-priming pumps from manufacturers including KSB, BJM, Goulds and Cornell.
- Pump repair to get a failed pump back in service, or an honest answer on whether to repair or replace it.
- 24-hour emergency support when something goes wrong in the middle of a storm.
Get Your Pumps Ready for El Niño
Tell us about your site and what you need, whether that’s a pre-storm inspection, a standby pump or a repair. A member of our team will follow up to help you get ready. For an urgent situation, call (866) 472-3959.
El Niño Pump Preparedness FAQ
When does El Niño rain usually hit California?
El Niño’s biggest effects on California rainfall typically show up from about January through March. Fall rain has little connection to El Niño strength, so a dry autumn doesn’t mean the winter will be dry.
Does El Niño guarantee flooding in California?
No. El Niño raises the odds of a wetter-than-average winter, especially in Southern California, but every event is different. Preparing your pumps is low-cost insurance either way.
How often should sump and stormwater pumps be tested?
Test critical pumps before every rainy season and periodically during it, and schedule a professional inspection at least once a year. Pumps that run rarely need testing more often, because problems stay hidden until the water rises.
What kind of pump do I need to remove floodwater?
It depends on the volume of water, how far and how high it needs to go and whether it carries solids. Submersible pumps work well in pits and sumps, while self-priming trash pumps are common for portable dewatering. A DXP Pacific specialist can help you size the right pump.