In February 1998, almost a year’s worth of rain fell in downtown Los Angeles, as a series of powerful Pacific storms rocked California amid a “Super” El Niño. Deadly landslides struck Southern and Central California, wiping out hillside homes, and powerful waves pounded the state’s shoreline. These waves destroyed a large section of the famous Santa Monica Pier and caused widespread coastal flooding in San Francisco Bay communities. Many Californians who experienced that event still consider it to be the benchmark for how a Super El Niño can alter life in their state. Now, with another Super El Niño setting in — this time likely to be the strongest on record — many are calibrating their expectations based on what happened then.

Other El Niño news:

• The Coloradoan (Fort Collins): Farmers’ Almanac, National Weather Service agree on super El Niño snow
• Lookout Santa Cruz (Calif.): Strong El Niño could bring a wet winter: Pajaro flood officials are taking extra precautions
• FOX5 (San Diego): Super El Niño raises concerns of mudslides in San Diego burn zones
• The New York Times: This year’s record-breaking El Niño in 3 charts