People fish in the Pacific Ocean as a dump truck unloads sand to build berms on the beach to protect homes as they prepare for elevated surf, coastal flooding, and beach erosion ahead of Hurricane Polo in Long Beach, California.
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images/AFP
hide caption
toggle caption
i
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images/AFP
Last week, a key stretch of the Pacific Ocean hit its highest temperature on record. And it’s still climbing.
It’s a warning sign of the so-called Super El Niño, expected to bring floods, droughts, and heat waves. And higher prices for staples like coffee.
What to expect from the super El Niño — and how states are preparing.
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.