Cal OES announced that Gov. reopened a modernized State Operations Center in Mather and that the agency has added disaster‑intelligence satellite capability through an agreement with ICEYE, the release said Oct. 8, 2026.
The renovated center increases operational seating from 54 to 64 positions, expands second‑floor workspace, creates an ADA‑accessible flat‑floor operations area, upgrades the State Warning Center and replaces the aging technology wall; the Legislature also approved 73 permanent positions to staff a standing Incident Support Team and a deployable Incident Management Assistance Team, the release said.
Cal OES said the ICEYE radar imagery can provide near‑real‑time views of floods, wildfires and other disasters even through clouds, smoke or darkness; the data will feed California’s statewide emergency operations to help officials identify flooded areas, estimate water depths and prioritize response and recovery resources faster.
Federal forecasters told Cal OES they see greater than a 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter and a 75% chance it could reach historic strength, the release said; Cal OES warned that could mean repeated heavy rain, flooding, landslides, debris flows, large waves and coastal flooding for California, and urged residents to sign up for alerts, know their flood risk, clear drains and have an evacuation plan.
The release contrasted the state’s investments with federal budget proposals; it said the Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 budget would cut FEMA by $1.3 billion and eliminate the Next Generation Warning System Grant Program. The release added that California has deployed 3,482 personnel and 271 pieces of equipment since June to support responses in 13 states and two countries.
Gov. Newsom said, “we are not waiting for storms to reach our doorstep.” Cal OES Director said the modernization brings teams together in a space designed for emergency operations, “strengthening coordination, improving situational awareness and helping California move resources and support to communities faster.”
State
Gavin Newsom
Governor · Democrat
Named 3 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Caroline Thomas Jacobs
Director, Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
Named once in this story.
Sources & methodology
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