California declares state of emergency ahead of El Nino

California's governor declared a state of emergency on Monday, anticipating a potentially devastating El Nino season. As the US West Coast braces for powerful and damaging storms, forecasters warn of coastal flooding due to higher-than-usual tides. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the importance of proactive measures, such as providing communities, first responders, and families with necessary support, tools, and preparedness.

The declaration aims to facilitate state agencies' access to resources and pre-position flood-fighting supplies like sandbags and pumps. It also readies the California National Guard for various support missions. El Nino, a warming phase of a natural cycle in the tropical Pacific, occurs every two to seven years and sets in when east-to-west trade winds weaken, allowing warm water to shift east and rise to the surface.

This leads to more storms and clouds over the region, causing ripple effects across the global atmosphere. This year's El Nino has a 75% chance of becoming the strongest on record, tied for the most intense on a widely-used metric, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The phenomenon has already impacted global weather patterns, contributing to extreme conditions in various regions.

Coastal erosion in California has damaged homes, leading to the cancellation of a music festival in Santa Monica.