![\"Beach](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/BeachDamage-c9de93.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\nSea level rise could enhance substantial California flooding<\/p>\n
Off the west coast of Mexico, a mass of unusually warm water is creeping north. This wave will reach California and could bring the threat of coastal flooding, beach erosion, impacts to surfing and even sinkholes to roads by the water.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More of these waves could follow, enhancing a potentially wetter winter for California due to the ongoing El Ni\u00f1o.<\/p>\n
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An aerial view of the incoming tide and swell at Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach in September, where recent storm surges caused damage to the parking lot area and erosion. <\/p>\n
(Los Angeles Times via Getty Image)<\/p>\n
How it works<\/p>\n
Now, this wave isn\u2019t anything like a tsunami. It is a slow-moving wave, only moving north at about 6 mph, that you probably won\u2019t even see.<\/p>\n
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Weather in your inbox<\/p>\n
By signing up you agree to the Terms<\/a> & Privacy Policy<\/a>. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p>\n It is called a coastal trapped Kelvin wave, if you want the technical term.<\/p>\n El Ni\u00f1o is the culprit. It changes how the winds blow in the Pacific, allowing warm water to collect near South America. As water gathers, it can lead to a wave that moves along the shore and sets its sights on California, which we are seeing now. <\/p>\n (MORE: Everything El Ni\u00f1o<\/a>)<\/p>\n Get More of Our News on Google<\/p>\n Set The Weather Company as a ‘Preferred Source’ to get quicker access to the news you value.<\/p>\n This wave should reach California by October, where it could raise sea levels by about a foot. <\/p>\n As El Ni\u00f1o continues, water collects near South America, potentially leading to multiple coastal Kelvin waves that can move north along the shore to California. <\/p>\n What it means for you<\/p>\n A foot of extra water might not seem like much, but that means more beach erosion and a higher risk of coastal flooding. Think of the beachgoers and the tourism that can be impacted by reduced beaches in these areas. Coastal inundation can also lead to sinkholes on roads, which can cause travel delays.<\/p>\n And there is the matter of surfing in Southern California. You can see bigger waves, but reduced beaches mean a greater danger for newer surfers who are not used to having little room for error.<\/p>\n A sinkhole is seen from a drone on a street and driveway of a seaside home affected by recent heavy surf on Sea Level Drive in Malibu on Sept. 9, 2026. <\/p>\n (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)<\/p>\n And then we have to talk about El Ni\u00f1o itself. El Ni\u00f1o winters can lead to wetter conditions for California. This is because the Pacific jet stream shifts south and brings rounds of storms through the southern tier of the country.<\/p>\n (MORE: The pineapple express is a firehose. El Ni\u00f1o just turned it up<\/a>) <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789479017_665_google-preferred-source-badge-en.083veuzl7n_jk.png\"\/){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Impacts\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ElNinoimpacst-bf38fa.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Sinkholes\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CaliforniaSinkholes-a1c847.jpg\"\/)
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