El Niño wreaks havoc on both coasts

Jonathan Waldick, 18 months, and aunt Meredith Evans in front of tree where he was found. (Miami Herald)

Jonathan Waldick is being called Florida's "miracle baby" after a tornado plucked him out his bed, wrapped him in a mattress and landed him a tree in his backyard. Jonathan survived the El Niño-spawned tornado barrage that killed 39 people in Central Florida. President Clinton is scheduled to visit the area today. Meanwhile, El Niño continues to pound California, where at least 6 people — including two highway patrolmen and two college students — were lost to flooding. Weather forecasters say this year's El Niño phenomenon will probably go down in history as the strongest one of the century, and will continue to warp weather patterns for weeks to come.

At least 39 dead in El Niño related tornadoes
The Miami Herald

6 dead in latest flooding on Pacific coast
Los Angeles Times

Two California Highway patrolmen drown in road collapse
The Gate

Mountains on the move
San Jose Mercury News (Calif.)

Already strongest yet, no end in sight for current El Niño
Philadelphia Inquirer

Mudslides: How they happen
San Jose Mercury News (Calif.)

Video: The only way out of Big Sur is by air
The Gate (San Francisco)

Storm Warnings
National Weather Service Interactive Weather Information Network