Newport Beach Prepares for 8-Foot Tides and Coastal Flooding

Newport Beach officials declared a local emergency this week to prepare for days of coastal flooding expected through Thursday. The city is positioning staff to inspect infrastructure, reinforce beach berms, and install protective equipment in anticipation of high water levels.

The National Weather Service issued a warning for significant coastal flooding in San Diego and Orange counties. In the area from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles counties, tides are forecast to reach heights of 8 feet. These conditions are expected to close roads and inundate homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

City Manager Seimone Jurjis cited El Niño and a Kelvin wave as the drivers behind the current conditions. She reported that ocean water levels in the region are already 15 to 22 inches higher than expected for this time of year. Jurjis noted that this extra volume of water can determine whether seawalls hold or if water spills into streets, garages, and homes.

“A foot and a half may not sound like much, but in a coastal community like ours, it can mean the difference between water staying below a seawall and water spilling into streets, garages and homes, especially during some of the highest tides of the year,” Jurjis said.

The NWS office in San Diego advised residents to avoid beaches during high tides. They recommended staying farther back from the ocean than usual because waves will run much farther up the beach than expected. Officials also told the public to stay off rock walls and jetties and to ensure flood-prone property is protected.

Newport Beach is providing free sandbags to residents. The city has advised homeowners to inspect vulnerable areas around their properties. This preparation comes after a month of extreme weather that included flooding on city streets and large waves striking beachside homes. The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel previously damaged homes, destroyed a boardwalk, and forced residents to evacuate.

With a historic El Niño unfolding in the Pacific, California is expected to face severe storms this winter. The current forecast suggests the region is already experiencing the effects of these shifting ocean patterns.