# California towns prepare for El Niño storm impacts

> Coastal California towns use flood models to prepare for El Niño storm risks.
- Title: California towns prepare for El Niño storm impacts · Sfgate
- Summary: 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.
- Keywords: el nino, coastal flooding, santa cruz, capitola, flood model, coastal climate resilience, wharf closure, sea level rise, Sfgate
- Source: Sfgate — https://sfgate.com/bayarea/article/el-nino-preparedness-22525702.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: el nino, coastal flooding, santa cruz, capitola, flood model, coastal climate resilience, wharf closure, sea level rise, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Santa Cruz and Capitola use flood models to prepare for El Niño storm impacts.