00:00A powerful Kelvin wave could raise sea levels off California by up to one foot for months,
00:05threatening coastal communities with flooding and damage.
00:08These giant ocean swells balance Earth's rotation, but El Nino creates internal Kelvin waves
00:14that push warm surface water upward and raise sea levels. Moving slowly along the Pacific coast
00:20at about six miles per hour, these waves affect all countries bordering the ocean,
00:25not just California. Experts warn this will distort normal tides, making both high and low tides higher
00:32than usual, which worsens flooding risks during storms. Kate Hucklebridge, executive director of
00:38the California Coastal Commission, says, storms that peak during high tides are far more likely
00:44to cause damage. Sea levels have already risen eight inches due to climate change, and storms
00:50can add over three feet more. California's governor has declared a state of emergency
00:54to prepare for these extreme conditions as the Kelvin wave and severe storms together
00:59threaten to worsen coastal damage. Disclosure. This video contains stock footage
01:04and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
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