California braces for historic El Niño as coastal damage and record ocean temperatures intensify

Key points

• The 2026 El Niño event has developed a 'second arm' of heated water, potentially making it the strongest in 1,000 years, according to climate scientist Zeke Hausfather.
• Tropical Storm Rachel caused significant damage to Long Beach, leaving seven homes red-tagged and prompting Mayor Rex Richardson to prepare for further winter storms.
• Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency in September, warning that the El Niño could become the strongest in recorded history.
• In San Diego, residents and officials cleared 678 pounds of trash from storm drains in District 9 to prepare for potential flooding, two years after previous devastating floods.
• King tides are expected around Thanksgiving, increasing the risk of coastal flooding as the El Niño pattern strengthens.

Background

This development follows a series of earlier warnings in 2026. In September, Hurricane Marie caused severe coastal damage in Southern California, which experts described as a preview of the El Niño winter. By October, climate models predicted that rainfall in many populated areas could reach 150-200% of normal, with the heaviest totals concentrated in the north coast and coastal regions. The 2026 El Niño had already broken historical temperature records in the eastern Pacific, with sea surface anomalies reaching 3.8°C above normal in the Niño 3 region, months before the typical peak.

How outlets are covering it

The California Post emphasizes the unprecedented scale of the El Niño, highlighting the 'second arm' of warm water and the potential for it to be the strongest in 1,000 years, as well as the immediate damage caused by Tropical Storm Rachel in Long Beach. In contrast, 10News.com focuses on the local, community-level response in San Diego, detailing how residents and officials are proactively clearing storm drains to mitigate flood risks, drawing on the trauma of the 2024 floods. While the California Post highlights the state-level emergency and the potential for historic weather, 10News.com underscores the grassroots efforts to prepare for the impacts of the El Niño at the neighborhood level.

Why it matters

The 2026 El Niño event poses a significant threat to California, with the potential for historic flooding, heavy rains, and coastal erosion. The state's declaration of a statewide emergency and the proactive measures being taken by local communities highlight the urgency of preparing for the impacts of this weather system. The record-breaking ocean temperatures and the 'second arm' of warm water suggest that the El Niño could be stronger than previously anticipated, increasing the risk of severe weather and flooding. The immediate damage caused by Tropical Storm Rachel in Long Beach serves as a warning of the potential impacts of the El Niño, and the proactive measures being taken by local communities in San Diego demonstrate the importance of preparing for the impacts of this weather system.

What to watch

California officials are expected to continue preparing for the impacts of the El Niño, with a focus on reinforcing the coastline and coordinating resources to respond to severe weather. Local communities are expected to continue clearing storm drains and preparing for potential flooding, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations. The state is expected to monitor the El Niño event closely, with a focus on the potential for it to become the strongest in recorded history. The king tides expected around Thanksgiving are expected to increase the risk of coastal flooding, and officials are expected to take measures to mitigate the impacts of these tides.