Newport Beach Declares Emergency as Southern California Braces for Record Tides

Newport Beach officials declared a local emergency more than a week before forecasted high tides were scheduled to arrive, initiating a series of defensive measures for the coastal city. The National Weather Service issued a warning for significant coastal flooding in San Diego and Orange counties that is expected to persist through Thursday. This warning includes the possibility of closed roads and water inundation for homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

The NWS stated that the area between San Luis Obispo County and Los Angeles County may experience minor to moderate coastal flooding, with tides reaching heights of up to eight feet. A statement from the San Diego NWS office advised residents to avoid beaches during high tide periods and to stand farther back from the ocean than usual because waves will travel up the beach further than typical. The agency also recommended that people stay off rock walls and jetties while ensuring flood-prone property is protected throughout the week.

City staff in Newport Beach have been deployed to inspect infrastructure, reinforce beach berms, and install sandbags and other protective equipment. The city is distributing free sandbags to residents and has asked them to inspect vulnerable areas around their properties. City Manager Seimone Jurjis noted that ocean water levels in the region are already 15 to 22 inches higher than expected due to El Niño and the Kelvin wave.

Jurjis explained that a foot and a half of extra water can determine whether water stays below a seawall or spills into streets, garages, and homes, particularly during the highest tides of the year. This current event follows a month of extreme weather in the region, which included flooding that covered city streets and large waves that struck beachside homes. The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel recently caused substantial damage in California, destroying a boardwalk and forcing residents to evacuate.

The current high tides are part of a historic El Niño unfolding in the Pacific. California is expected to face severe storms during the upcoming winter as a result of these conditions.