The Wrath of El Niño

Alex ThompsonCulture

Along Santa MonicaAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsAlong Santa MonicaAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsAlong Santa MonicaAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsa young woman splashes in a puddleAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsParts of a palm tree lay across the roadAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsThe roof of a car after the first of El Niño stormsAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsRain drops on a window overlooking the 110 Freeway in DowntownAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA rare sightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA rare sightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA rare sightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA rare sightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA rare sightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA rare sightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA rare sightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA rare sightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathslocals gathered sand bags along main walkways to ensure flooding was kept to a minimumAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsNot everyone was prepared for the rain El Niño broughtAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsThe Venice canals were full of water after the first storms from El NiñoAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsWaves crash against the Venice PierAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsHomeowners took extra precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their homesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsA mud slide along Silver Lake BlvdAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsPost-rain parking lot in Downtown at nightAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsView of Downtown Los Angeles covered in dark clouds in the days that followed the first of many El Niño storms.Along Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsView from the Hollywood Hills. Dark clouds cover Los Angeles in the days following the first of many El Niño storms.Along Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsRocks are gathered along the edges of a road and used to stop any mudslides from reaching the nearby homesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsUsually packedAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsUsually packedAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsUsually packedAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsUsually packedAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsUsually packedAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsUsually packedAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsUsually packedAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsmany angelenos were found on the Venice PierAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsmany angelenos were found on the Venice PierAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsmany angelenos were found on the Venice PierAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsmany angelenos were found on the Venice PierAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsgathering fallen branchesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsgathering fallen branchesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsgathering fallen branchesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsgathering fallen branchesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsgathering fallen branchesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsgathering fallen branchesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsgathering fallen branchesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the pathsgathering fallen branchesAlong Santa Monica, the remnants of an intense storm are found across the paths

El Nino has changed the landscape of Los Angeles from sun kissed metropolis to a city reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest. With more than 2 billion gallons of water contained within the city, hopes of the drought-ending storm being successful are high. This landscape, that is seldom blessed with showers this intense, faces many challenges. From interrupted commutes, roadside flooding, 10ft swells, and sporadic mudslides; it's safe to say the city and it's inhabitants have their work cut out of for them if they hope to weather the storm. All Photos by Alex Thompson.