# ARkStorm Threatens California Winter

> California faces heightened flood risk this winter due to El Niño and atmospheric rivers.
- Title: ARkStorm Threatens California Winter · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: California faces heightened flood risk this winter due to El Niño and atmospheric rivers. An ARkStorm could cause $725 billion in damage and 1.5 million…
- Keywords: arkstorm, el niño, california, atmospheric rivers, flooding, usgs, fema, central valley, Threatens, Winter, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/arkstorm-threat-california-winter-12653513
- Published: 2026-11-03T10:31:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: arkstorm, el niño, california, atmospheric rivers, flooding, usgs, fema, central valley
## What Is An ARkStorm?
ARkStorm is a hypothetical disaster scenario for extreme flooding in california.
## ARkStorm Probability
The scenario has a 1 in 1000 annual probability of occurring at a specific location.
## USGS Damage Estimate
USGS estimates $725 billion in property damage and business interruption losses.
## Evacuation Impact
Approximately 1.5 million people could need to evacuate during an ARkStorm.
## El Niño Influence
El niño increases wetter-than-average conditions in california this winter.
## Atmospheric Rivers
Atmospheric rivers can cause intense rainfall and flash flooding in california.
## Coastal Flooding Risks
Tropical Storm Rachel damaged beachfront homes in long beach and newport beach.
## Key takeaway

An ARkStorm could cause $725 billion in damage and 1.5 million evacuations in California this winter.