Strong El Niño Raises Flood Risks in Southern California
Southern California is bracing for what experts predict could be the strongest El Niño event ever recorded, according to UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. This natural climate phenomenon, which warms the eastern tropical Pacific, is expected to bring extreme weather patterns, including heavy rainfall and elevated sea levels. Historical comparisons to the El Niño events of 1982 and 1997 suggest significant impacts, with the current event likely to surpass those in severity. Coastal flooding risks are particularly high due to a combination of El Niño-driven sea level rise, human-caused global warming, and the highest tides in nearly two decades. Inland areas, especially near creeks and rivers, are also vulnerable to flooding from intense rainfall. FEMA flood maps provide some guidance but may not fully account for risks from short, heavy downpours or mudflows in burn zones. Source time: Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:14:51 GMT. 
