. >> this is a peaceful settic, but you're talking about this being ground zero, why is that?this one of the lowest points of the system, and i wouldn't be surprised to have waves crashing over the levies. >> that's unimaginable. >> given a strong enough storm that may be a reality with catastrophic results. mother nature may be giving a one-two punch. first a drought and then an el niÑo. but it's not just mother nature that is to blame. it's decades of neglect. >> we stopped paying for this year's ago. why should we be shocked, have the nerve to be surprised that these systems are falling down around our ears. we chose not to pay for it. >> the truth is california and the nation will pay one way or another. the question is whether the bill comes due this winter. jacob ward, al jazeera, sacramento. >> one bad little boy. this year's el niÑo this time on the program joining me for a look at this periodic natural event, william, a research scientist and oceanographer with nasa, and and james, a historic climatologist analyst. and we'll talk just about what that is. but william,