California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed two executive orders, easing environmental requirements for flood-prevention work and requiring a risk review of Highway 1 ahead of potential El Niño storms.

The orders were signed at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, Southern California, following a statewide emergency declaration issued on September 21, according to the governor's office.

One order allows the suspension of state requirements for eligible public-agency work to limit flooding, landslides, debris flows and erosion, while requiring advance eligibility approval and safeguards for fish, protected species and waterways.

The second order establishes a Highway 1 Task Force, convened by state transportation and natural resources agencies, to prepare the corridor for El Niño storms and address longer-term climate threats.

Highway 1 runs about 1,056 km along California's Pacific coast and has suffered repeated landslides and closures in the Big Sur area in recent years.

On Tuesday, the US National Weather Service warned of significant coastal flooding in Orange and San Diego counties in Southern California until Thursday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center said on October 8 that there was a more than 83% chance of a strong-to-very strong El Niño through January to March 2027.