El Niño Threatens Record Sea Levels and Coastal Flooding in California
El Niño Threatens Record Sea Levels and Coastal Flooding in California
US · Published Aug 10, 2026
A strengthening El Niño is expected to bring the highest sea levels ever recorded along the California coast, according to experts from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Mark Merrifield, director of the Center for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, highlighted that sea levels in the eastern Pacific Ocean are already more than half a foot higher than average, with further increases anticipated by fall and winter.

Impact & Risks

The anticipated rise in sea levels and high waves could lead to severe coastal flooding, particularly in Southern California, during the winter season. Areas such as Ventura, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties are at heightened risk, with potential damage to infrastructure, homes, and natural habitats. Coastal erosion is expected to worsen, with beaches moving landward by up to 98 feet in some areas. Warmer ocean temperatures may also exacerbate marine heat waves, disrupt ecosystems, and increase the prevalence of harmful algal blooms, which can harm marine life and pose health risks to humans. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay Area are also likely to experience significant impacts from rising sea levels.

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