Southern California coastal communities are bracing for significant impacts from exceptionally high tides, following preliminary storm damage in recent weeks. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for Orange and San Diego counties, anticipating tides 1 to 1.7 feet above projected levels from Sunday morning through midday Thursday.
The flood warnings indicate that numerous roads may be closed, and low-lying properties, including homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, are likely to be inundated. In response to the anticipated flooding, Metrolink will temporarily suspend service in southern Orange County at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations from Monday through Friday. This rail line, which connects Orange County to San Diego along the Pacific Coast, has been previously impacted by coastal erosion.
The California Department of Transportation has secured emergency funds to address a substantial crack on a slope beneath Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach, which developed during earlier high tides. In coastal areas of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, flood advisories have been issued, with tides expected to reach 7.5 to 8 feet, or 1 to 1.5 feet above astronomical projections, during the mornings of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Recent weeks have seen coastal communities affected by flooding, potentially linked to El Niño conditions. Long Beach and Newport Beach have experienced particularly severe impacts, with waves inundating homes, parking lots, and boardwalks. Newport Beach City Manager Seimone Jurjis stated that city teams are actively reinforcing sand berms, evaluating seawalls, deploying sandbags, and preparing emergency resources and equipment. The city is also coordinating additional staffing across departments for monitoring and response.
Newport Beach is providing sandbags at three locations and advising residents with private seawalls to reinforce them as needed. The National Weather Service cautioned the public to exercise caution, advising against driving through flooded areas or around barricades. Beachgoers are also advised to avoid jetties, seawalls, and beaches entirely during high tide periods.
