The impacts of this El Niño are already being felt, with billions of dollars in projected damages. Southern California has seen homes condemned, roads cracked, and beaches eroded. Disaster risk modelers estimate $2–3 billion in flood and mudslide damages across California this winter, far exceeding the typical $500 million annual flood damage. The East Coast faces increased storm surge risks, with some areas experiencing nearly triple the usual number of storm surges during strong El Niño years. Coastal communities nationwide are at risk of significant infrastructure damage and economic losses.