SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US - JANUARY 23:An abandoned car in a flooded area is seen below the Fashion Valley Trolley Station during the aftermath of the storm in San Diego, California. on January 23, 2024. San Diego Ma...SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US - JANUARY 23:An abandoned car in a flooded area is seen below the Fashion Valley Trolley Station during the aftermath of the storm in San Diego, California. on January 23, 2024. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria declared a state of emergency on Monday 'due to extreme rainfall and flash flooding" as heavy rain fell across parts of California. (Photo by Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images)MORE LESS
Since December, Southern California has been dealing with flooding caused by storms churning up the Pacific Ocean and periods of extreme rainfall. Residents of this region are not typically subject to such conditions but, with global warming affecting weather patterns, it is becoming a more common occurrence. From Ventura County to San Diego, coastal cities are getting hit hard this winter.
Waves crashing next to homes in Ventura, California
VENTURA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Powerful waves crash next to homes along the coastline on December 30, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. A 2023 study from UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography showed that California’s winter waves have increased in size since 1970, a rise the study associates with global warming. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A bench displaced by strong waves in Ventura, California
VENTURA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: A person walks with a dog past a bench which was displaced by strong Pacific Ocean waves on December 30, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. A 2023 study from UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography showed that California’s winter waves have increased in size since 1970 as climate change has warmed the planet. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Another bench displaced along a stretch of beach in Ventura, California
VENTURA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: People take photos near a bench which was displaced by strong Pacific Ocean waves on December 30, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. A 2023 study from UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography showed that California’s winter waves have increased in size since 1970 as climate change has warmed the planet. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A protective berm constructed in Ventura, California
VENTURA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: In an aerial view, a newly constructed sand berm protects against strong Pacific Ocean surf, two days after a rogue wave inundated the area and injured eight people, on December 30, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. A 2023 study from UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography showed that California’s winter waves have increased in size since 1970 as climate change has warmed the planet. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A powerful wave breaking in Ventura, California
VENTURA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Pelicans fly above a powerful Pacific Ocean wave breaking on December 30, 2023 in Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. A 2023 study from UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography showed that California’s winter waves have increased in size since 1970 as climate change has warmed the planet. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Waves crashing into homes in Ventura, California
VENTURA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: An aerial view of Pacific Ocean waves crashing against a seawall protecting homes on December 30, 2023 near Ventura, California. Dangerous surf churned up by storms in the Pacific is impacting much of California’s coastline with coastal flooding possible in some low-lying areas. A 2023 study from UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography showed that California’s winter waves have increased in size since 1970 as climate change has warmed the planet. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
An abandoned car in a flooded area of San Diego, California
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US – JANUARY 23:An abandoned car in a flooded area is seen below the Fashion Valley Trolley Station during the aftermath of the storm in San Diego, California. on January 23, 2024. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria declared a state of emergency on Monday ‘due to extreme rainfall and flash flooding” as heavy rain fell across parts of California. (Photo by Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Flooding near a trolley station in San Diego, California
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US – JANUARY 23:An abandoned car in a flooded area is seen below the Fashion Valley Trolley Station during the aftermath of the storm in San Diego, California. on January 23, 2024. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria declared a state of emergency on Monday ‘due to extreme rainfall and flash flooding” as heavy rain fell across parts of California. (Photo by Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images)
A vehicle lodged on a fence in the aftermath of flooding in San Diego, California
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: A vehicle moved by flooding remains lodged on a fence the day after an explosive rainstorm deluged areas of San Diego County on January 23, 2024 in San Diego, California. The intense rains forced dozens of rescues while flooding roadways and homes and knocking out electricity for thousands of residents. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Attempts made to dislodge stuck cars in the aftermath of flooding in San Diego, California
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: A person (R) works to help tow away a vehicle dislodged by flooding the day after an explosive rainstorm caused flooding in areas of San Diego County on January 23, 2024 in San Diego, California. The intense rains forced dozens of rescues while flooding roadways and homes and knocking out electricity for thousands of residents. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A car moved by flood waters after a rain storm in San Diego, California
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: People walk past a vehicle moved by flooding that remains lodged on a fence the day after an explosive rainstorm deluged areas of San Diego County on January 23, 2024 in San Diego, California. The intense rains forced dozens of rescues while flooding roadways and homes and knocking out electricity for thousands of residents. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Residents cleaning mud from a home damaged by flooding in San Diego, California
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: Family members clean mud from a home damaged by flooding, with the floodwater line visible on the house, the day after an explosive rainstorm deluged areas of San Diego County on January 23, 2024 in San Diego, California. The intense rains forced dozens of rescues while flooding roadways and homes and knocking out electricity for thousands of residents. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Christine Frapech
is TPM's designer and event planner based in New York.
