An article in the Sept. 4, 1997, issue of the Beverly Press and Park Labrea News covered measures being taken that year to prepare for El Niño, a warming climate pattern that resulted in heavy rainfall in Southern California. The winter of 1997-98 was the second warmest and seventh wettest winter overall in the United States since 1895, resulting in severe flooding in many parts of Los Angeles County.

Climatologists are predicting a strong El Niño weather pattern this winter and Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Sept. 21 to mobilize resources ahead of severe storms that may hit the Los Angeles region. For information on El Niño and how to prepare, visit beverlyhills.org/1829/el-nio-winter-storm-preparedness; weho.org/home/components/news/news/12278/23 and ready.lacounty.gov.