Coastal communities across California were bracing for days of flooding amid potentially record high tides this week, as water levels began rising Monday.
The National Weather Service warned that significant coastal flooding was expected in San Diego and Orange counties through Thursday, which could close roads and inundate homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. A large swath of the coast, from San Luis Obispo County to Los Angeles County, could experience “minor to moderate” coastal flooding with tides as high as 8 feet. Farther north in the Bay Area, officials said there could be up to 2.1 feet of flooding, mostly in low-lying coastal areas.
The effects could be seen in the community of Mill Valley in Marin County, where footage captured cars stuck on a flooded road as paddleboarders passed by.
On Monday morning, the NWS office in Los Angeles reported that it was already seeing record tides. Preliminary observations from the agency’s San Pedro tide gauge were at 8.02 feet, the highest ever observed in data dating back to November 1923.
“Avoid beaches during high tide, stay farther from the ocean than usual (waves will extend much further onto the beach than expected), stay away from rock walls and piers, and make sure flood-prone properties are protected this week,” the NWS San Diego office said in a statement.
More than a week before exceptionally high tides were expected to arrive, the city of Newport Beach in Orange County declared a local state of emergency to prepare for flooding. Personnel were deployed throughout the area to inspect infrastructure, reinforce beach berms and install sandbags and other equipment, the city said. Newport Beach provides free sandbags and advises residents to inspect vulnerable areas around their properties.
Due to El Niño and the Kelvin wave, ocean water levels in the region have already been about 15 to 22 inches higher than expected, Newport Beach City Manager Seimone Jurjis said in a statement.
“A foot and a half may not seem like much, but in a coastal community like ours, it can mean the difference between water that stays under a seawall and water that washes into streets, garages and homes, especially during some of the highest tides of the year,” Jurjis said.
This month has already seen extreme weather in the region, including flooding that overtakes city streets and strong waves that hit beachfront homes. The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel left a trail of destruction in California, significantly damaging homes, destroying a boardwalk and forcing residents to evacuate.
With the onset of a historic El Niño in the Pacific, California is expected to experience severe storms this winter.
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