The coastal city of Newport Beach in Orange County warned residents and travelers to avoid the Balboa Peninsula as rising floodwaters filled streets. The city’s famous peninsula, which extends from just south of the Pacific Coast Highway to the mouth of Newport Harbor, has already been hit hard by a summer of coastal erosion and high waves, and is now bracing for what could be a very wet weekend.
The city of Newport Beach, home to America’s most expensive zip code, posted a travel warning on social media Friday morning, asking “residents and motorists to avoid the Balboa Peninsula due to street flooding caused by recent storms and high tides.”
“Do not drive through flooded streets. Use alternate routes, exercise caution, and follow instructions from public safety personnel,” the message continues, adding, “Please avoid unnecessary travel in the area until conditions improve.”
Other videos posted on social media Friday morning appeared to show vehicles driving through several inches of water along the peninsula’s main street, Balboa Boulevard. Another video, pinned to a spot near Wedge, Newport’s famous surf spot, appeared to show fast-moving water rushing into the front yards of beachfront homes.
The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Orange County, lasting until 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 13. The advisory notes “dangerous rip currents” as a hazard to the beach, adding: “High tides are expected to peak between 6.5 and 7.0 feet in the morning and evening. » Rain is also expected to reach Newport Beach beginning Saturday evening and continuing through Monday evening or early Tuesday, potentially worsening the low-lying peninsula’s flooding problems.
Like much of the Southern California coast, Newport Beach was forced to act quickly to alleviate problems related to rising ocean tides this summer and to prepare for what is expected to be a generation-long strong El Niño winter. This includes replenishing sand, creating large beach berms to repel waves, and working to keep flood channels clear for the seemingly inevitable winter water onslaught.
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