San Diego Recalls Past El Niño Impacts Amid Forecast for Potentially Strong Winter

San Diego, CA, September 29, 2026 —

San Diego is being reminded of its vulnerability to severe weather as forecasts suggest a potentially strong El Niño event for the 2026-27 winter. Historically, the region has experienced significant disruptions and damage from such weather patterns, most notably during the 1997-98 El Niño season.

That historic El Niño brought a series of intense storms and floods to the area. Significant impacts included widespread flooding along the San Diego River, which inundated large sections of the surrounding land. Coastal communities also faced considerable challenges, with substantial erosion observed along the coastline as powerful waves and storm surges reshaped beaches and damaged infrastructure. The damage underscored the persistent threat posed by heavy rainfall, rising river levels, and powerful ocean conditions to San Diego County.

Beyond the 1997-98 event, San Diego’s history includes other notable flood events that have impacted the region, though not all were exclusively attributed to El Niño. These past occurrences serve as a historical reference for the potential consequences of extreme weather.

As residents and authorities look toward the predicted 2026-27 winter, the memory of past El Niño impacts highlights potential risks. These include the likelihood of heavy rain contributing to swollen rivers and saturated hillsides, which can increase the risk of mudslides and further erosion. Powerful surf is also a recurrent concern, capable of causing damage to coastal properties and infrastructure. The information is being shared to prepare the public for these potential weather-related vulnerabilities across San Diego County.

Story summarized from the original created by Debbie L. Sklar • Times of San Diego on timesofsandiego.com, see more information here.

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