Newport Beach spends on flood defenses as tides surge 22 inches

Coastal infrastructure in California faces a financial strain as water levels rise above seasonal norms. The National Weather Service warned that San Diego and Orange counties will experience significant coastal flooding through Thursday.

The agency predicted that high tides could close roads and inundate homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. To the north, the coast from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles counties is expected to see minor to moderate flooding. Tides in that region may reach eight feet.

Newport Beach declared a local emergency more than a week before the high tides were forecast to arrive. City staff deployed to inspect infrastructure, reinforce beach berms, and install sandbags. The city provided free sandbags to residents and advised them to inspect vulnerable areas around their properties.

City manager Seimone Jurjis stated that ocean water levels in the region have already run 15 to 22 inches higher than expected due to El Niño and a Kelvin wave. Jurjis noted that this height difference can mean the difference between water staying below a seawall and spilling into streets, garages, and homes.

The NWS office in San Diego issued a statement urging the public to avoid beaches during high tides. Officials asked residents to stay farther back from the ocean than usual and to stay off rock walls and jetties. The agency noted that waves would run much farther up the beach than expected.

This month brought extreme weather to the region, including street flooding and large waves that struck beachside homes. Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel left a trail of destruction, damaging homes, destroying a boardwalk, and forcing evacuations.

California faces a historic El Niño in the Pacific, which is expected to bring severe storms to the state this winter.