From Sfgate · · 1m 30s
California towns prepare for El Niño storm impacts
Coastal California towns use flood models to prepare for El Niño storm risks.
In brief
Coastal California towns use flood models to prepare for El Niño storm risks. Santa Cruz and Capitola use flood models to prepare for El Niño storm impacts. Originally reported by Sfgate.
El Niño flood model launch
UC Santa Cruz professor Michael Beck debuted a coastal flood monitoring tool showing El Niño storm impacts on California towns.
Capitola flood simulation
Model shows 20% higher waves and 9 inches sea level rise flooding Capitola blocks during 2023 bomb cyclone.
Santa Cruz emergency prep
Santa Cruz emergency manager Meredith Albert says El Niño 'turns up the volume' on known coastal hazards.
“El Niño is 'just turning up the volume on the hazards that we already know we have and we get ready for them every year'”
Wharf closures this weekend
Santa Cruz closed beaches and wharf after National Weather Service warned of 25 to 35 foot waves.
Sandbag distribution
City distributed sandbags and held neighborhood resiliency workshops for low-lying areas.
Wharf collapse incident
Santa Cruz Wharf partially collapsed on Dec 23, 2024, sending three employees into water.
Cayucos pier repairs
Cayucos pier got $3.5 million refurbishment in 2016 after 2010 and 2012 storms damaged it.
Pier damage update
Cayucos pier's last 15 feet still roped off after 2024 storm damaged pilings.
El Niño forecast impact
Meteorologist John Lindsey says El Niño's compounding effects with king tides could cause severe flooding.
“You can imagine the consequences”
Santa Cruz resilience plan
Santa Cruz uses emergency operations plan with matrix to close beaches and wharves during high-surf events.
What matters most
Santa Cruz and Capitola use flood models to prepare for El Niño storm impacts.
