by Elise Linscott
Forecasters are predicting a strong El Niño for California this year, bringing with it rain and, inevitably, flooding. As a result, some insurers are already reporting a spike in flood insurance sales in California over the past few months.
According to a report issued by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, “there is an approximately 95% chance that El Niño will continue through the Northern Hemisphere” this winter, gradually weakening through spring 2016. Forecasters predict this could lead to widespread heavy rain and flooding in the state.
And Californians have taken notice. Farmer’s Insurance stated its flood insurance sales in California have increased by 152% since September compared with last year, Southern California Public Radio reported after speaking to Jeff Hinesly, the National Flood Insurance Program Director for
Farmers Insurance Group. “I would say it’s definitely El Niño related,” he said.
The state has already seen a glimpse of how destructive heavy rains can be. Just last week, heavy rain led to mud flows which trapped hundreds of people on the roads north of Los Angeles.
Bill Croyle, deputy director of emergency preparedness for California’s Department of Water Resources, told NBC Los Angeles this week that “We could see upward of 200 percent of normal rainfall… There’s going to be those key areas that have been problematic in the past… but this could be widespread.”
