NOAA forecasts very strong 2026-27 El Niño with elevated Pacific coast risks
The Global News segment reports on current El Niño conditions amplifying coastal erosion and flooding risks along the Pacific coast from California to British Columbia. Footage shows waves encroaching on buildings in Long Beach; experts explain how El Niño drives high sea levels via Kelvin waves, larger Pacific storms, and potential hurricane swells, with two hurricanes noted near Mexico and Hawaii. A BC expert highlights lagging resilience work and the choice between planned and unplanned retreat given Canada's vast coastline, while noting average annual catastrophic insured losses of $3 billion, mostly from flooding. It closes with the US weather agency's prediction that this could be the largest El Niño ever. Sourcing relies on named and unnamed experts, officials, and the US weather and climate agency (NOAA). Graphics are minimal; the throughline stresses immediate heightened vulnerability this season atop longer-term sea-level trends, with calls for proactive adaptation rather than status-quo measures.
Source: Global News
