Santa Cruz city beaches and the municipal wharf will close Friday night through early Sunday, with waves of 25 to 35 feet or larger expected along parts of the coast. County officials are telling people to stay away from the shoreline and cautioning about coastal flooding, possible evacuation warnings and winds strong enough to bring down trees and power lines.
El Niño 2026-27
Coverage of the El Niño climate phenomenon of 2026-27 and its effects on Santa Cruz County.
Posted inLatest News
L.A. had its worst mosquito year this decade. El Niño could make it even worse
California is seeing the highest level of West Nile Virus activity in five years. Next year could be worse.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Dozens of California dams need repair as El Niño winter draws closer
As El Niño nears, California found 57 dams in poor or unsatisfactory condition, and regulators have never yet penalized an owner.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom vetoes Delta levees bill as El Niño winter looms
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 872, saying money in the budget made the bill’s $170 million for levee repairs redundant. The state puts those repair costs at $3.3 billion.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Strong El Niño could bring a wet winter: Pajaro flood officials are taking extra precautions
Officials at the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency say they are making “more aggressive” winter preparations as climate experts are forecasting a strong El Niño.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Un El Niño fuerte podría traer un invierno lluvioso: las autoridades de control de inundaciones de Pajaro toman precauciones adicionales
Los funcionarios de la Agencia Regional de Gestión de Inundaciones de Pájaro dicen que están tomando medidas de preparación para el invierno “más agresivas” debido a que los expertos en clima pronostican un El Niño fuerte.
Posted inLatest News
Strong El Niño could shape Santa Cruz County’s winter — but what that means is anyone’s guess
A strong El Niño climate pattern is forming and currently has a high likelihood of manifesting in the winter months. While the pattern usually causes either drier or wetter winters depending on the region, the Central Coast is often a coin flip.
