Dive Brief:
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California’s construction industry is preparing for a rare weather-related disruption of work as forecasters have predicted that a strong El Niño system is likely to dump heavy rains on the state this winter.
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Because the Golden State gets so little rain — especially over the past four years, when it has been in a severe drought — contractors can work year-round without much fear of weather-induced delays. So it’s unusual for them to expect down time because of winter and spring storms.
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Tom Holsman, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of California, told public radio station KPCC that wet weather could “hobble” construction as soil is damaged, supplies are delayed and workers are unable to work outdoors.
Dive Insight:
The last major El Niño cost the U.S. economy $25 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but construction industry revenues grew by approximately $500 million nationwide after the storm, as contractors repaired weather-damaged buildings.
“While the work may stop one day, it becomes much more intense following the storms," Holsman told the radio station.