{
  "id": 8932538,
  "title": "As cities prepare for 2026’s super El Niño, some crucial blind spots can’t be ignored",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/as-cities-prepare-for-2026s-super-el-nino-some-crucial-blind-spots",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-21T12:38:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation",
    "slug": "the-conversation",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/as-cities-prepare-for-2026s-super-el-nino-some-crucial-blind-spots-cant-be-ignored-290787"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As cities brace for the anticipated 2026 super El Niño, critical vulnerabilities must not be overlooked. In 2015-16, Los Angeles declared a shelter crisis during an El Niño event, a warning that similar blind spots could arise again. The current El Niño has the potential to be one of the strongest in recent history, with evidence already surfacing globally. The U.S., for instance, experienced its hottest summer on record in the Lower 48 states, while the Pacific witnessed an unusually busy hurricane season and an unusually quiet Atlantic. These early signs foreshadow extreme heat, destructive storms, and flooding.\n\nResearchers specializing in climate and disaster resilience study how governments prepare for such climate disasters and identify potential gaps. Community planning often begins with identifying vulnerable infrastructure, yet addressing the needs of at-risk populations, like low-income communities and older adults, can be more challenging. These groups may require assistance in preparing their homes and themselves for extreme conditions.\n\nEl Niño is a natural climate pattern characterized by rising temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which can alter weather patterns. On the U.S. West Coast, El Niño, combined with king tides and rising sea levels, could result in more coastal flooding, erosion, and damage to homes and infrastructure. Past El Niño events have caused flood damage and landslides, shutting down highways and disrupting public services long after a storm has passed.\n\nFor communities to prepare for the expected strong El Niño in late 2026 and early 2027, critical infrastructure must withstand flooding, temperature extremes, and other severe weather conditions. This involves inspecting flood control and drainage systems, managing trees that could fall during high winds, and reinforcing or maintaining infrastructure such as dams, stormwater channels, roads, and bridges. Aging infrastructure poses a significant issue, as seen in Seattle in December 2025, where heavy rainfall caused levees to break, leaving communities vulnerable to catastrophic flooding. Repairing and replacing large-scale infrastructure is costly and time-consuming, often taking years despite prior discussions.\n\nBeyond infrastructure, preparing a community for the unprecedented conditions an El Niño could bring is equally crucial. A study conducted by researchers at Tufts University examined climate adaptation and disaster preparedness in several high-risk communities across the United States, uncovering gaps in policies, resources, and institutional capacity. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive disaster planning to effectively address the multifaceted challenges posed by an impending El Niño.",
  "summary": "Aging levees and dams are only the beginning of the risks communities face. One of the biggest challenges is helping people manage the heat and storms.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}