The intensifying El Niño poses significant risks globally, including severe droughts in some regions and flooding in others. Vulnerable communities, particularly in developing nations, are at heightened risk of food insecurity and displacement. In the U.S., the potential for more active hurricanes and extreme weather events could lead to billions in damages. The temporary suspension of critical ocean-monitoring systems by the National Science Foundation (NSF) has also raised concerns about the accuracy of future forecasts, potentially leaving populations unprepared for disasters.