{"id":499687,"date":"2026-10-18T00:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T00:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/499687\/"},"modified":"2026-10-18T00:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T00:24:09","slug":"el-nino-is-already-battering-californias-coast-as-powerful-winter-storms-loom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/499687\/","title":{"rendered":"El Ni\u00f1o is already battering California\u2019s coast as powerful winter storms loom"},"content":{"rendered":"

California\u2019s looming El Ni\u00f1o nightmare<\/a> is already here \u2014 and as the coastline continues to take a beating, meteorologists are warning the massive weather system has gone mutant.<\/p>\n

The potentially historic weather system<\/a> has grown a \u201csecond arm\u201d as it supercharges Pacific Ocean temperatures, bringing increased chances for powerful winter storms, flooding and destructive surf still looming in the months ahead.<\/p>\n

The mutant limb is the second section of heated water sticking out from South America as seen in new images from Senamhi<\/a>, Peru\u2019s national meteorological and hydrological service.<\/p>\n

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El Ni\u00f1o\u2019s new limbs suggest the storm has grown strong ahead of what\u2019s considered to be the strongest El Ni\u00f1o in a very long time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that this year\u2019s El Ni\u00f1o event is likely to be the strongest in 1,000 years if the latest models of its peak prove accurate.\u201d C3S \/ ECMWF<\/p>\n

The developing phenomenon is already among the strongest on record by several measures, with forecasters warning it could intensify further as winter approaches, climate scientist Daniel Swain wrote in an Oct. 12 analysis for Weather West<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The warning signs are already playing out along the Southern California coast.<\/p>\n

In Long Beach, city leaders on Friday outlined a recovery plan after powerful surf from Tropical Storm Rachel tore apart homes and infrastructure on the Peninsula. Seven homes remain red-tagged, down from eight, and officials still don\u2019t know how many will have to be demolished.<\/p>\n

With king tides expected around Thanksgiving and a strong El Ni\u00f1o pattern developing, officials are racing to reinforce the battered coastline before the next round of dangerous surf arrives.<\/p>\n

Workers use heavy equipment to build sand berms to prepare for elevated surf, coastal flooding, and beach erosion. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

A person takes photos of the damaged seawall and historic boardwalk near damaged homes. Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re now shifting into preparing for the next storm while we recover from the impacts of Rachel,\u201d Mayor Rex Richardson said.<\/p>\n

The developing El Ni\u00f1o pattern, along with powerful oceanic Kelvin waves, is contributing to the threat. The waves can temporarily raise sea levels by up to 12 inches, increasing the risk of coastal flooding when powerful surf and high tides hit vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that this year\u2019s El Ni\u00f1o event is likely to be the strongest in 1,000 years if the latest models of its peak prove accurate,\u201d climate scientist Zeke Hausfather told The Daily Mail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

California Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> declared a statewide emergency last month in preparation for what officials warn could become the strongest El Ni\u00f1o on record<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe emerging El Ni\u00f1o event is already breaking records, and forecasters expect it to continue to strengthen, potentially becoming the strongest in recorded history,\u201d Newsom\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n

Recent tropical storms have battered Southern California\u2019s coast and damaged homes along the Long Beach coast. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Stronger El Ni\u00f1o events increase the chances of weather typically associated with the phenomenon. Zuma \/ SplashNews.com<\/p>\n

The designation does not mean California is guaranteed to be battered by storms. But stronger El Ni\u00f1o events increase the chances of weather typically associated with the phenomenon, including heavy rain, flooding, powerful waves and coastal erosion.<\/p>\n

California officials previously said they hope early planning will negate some effects of the powerful weather system.<\/p>\n

Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach, California, sustains erosion from heavy swells on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. ZUMAPRESS.com<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not waiting for this season\u2019s storms to be on our doorstep,\u201d California Office of Emergency Services Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy planning early and coordinating resources ahead of El Ni\u00f1o, we are working to ensure communities and first responders have the personnel, equipment, and support they need to prepare for severe weather, respond quickly when conditions change, and protect lives and property across California.\u201d<\/p>\n

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