Newport Beach braces for tides reaching 8 feet

Residents of Southern California face the prospect of submerged streets and flooded garages as the region prepares for extreme high tides this week. The National Weather Service predicts that water levels could reach 8 feet in parts of the coast, a height that threatens to inundate residential and commercial properties.

Newport Beach in Orange County declared a local emergency more than a week before the peak tides were expected. City staff are currently working to inspect infrastructure, reinforce beach berms, and distribute sandbags to vulnerable areas. The city is providing these materials free of charge and has urged homeowners to check their properties for potential weak points.

Seimone Jurjis, the Newport Beach city manager, explained that ocean water levels in the area are already 15 to 22 inches higher than anticipated. She attributed this rise to the influence of El Niño and a Kelvin wave. Jurjis noted that this additional volume of water creates a narrow margin of safety.

Jurjis stated, “A foot and a half may not sound like much, but in a coastal community like ours, it can mean the difference between water staying below a seawall and water spilling into streets, garages and homes, especially during some of the highest tides of the year.”

The National Weather Service office in San Diego advised the public to stay away from beaches during high tide periods. Officials warned that waves will travel farther up the shore than usual and instructed people to avoid rock walls and jetties. They also recommended that property owners in flood-prone zones take immediate protective steps.

The forecast calls for significant coastal flooding in San Diego and Orange counties through Thursday. Roads may close, and critical infrastructure could be affected. To the north, areas from San Luis Obispo County to Los Angeles County are expected to experience minor to moderate flooding under similar tidal conditions.

This week's weather event follows a month of severe conditions in the region. The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel recently caused flooding in city streets and damaged beachside homes, including the destruction of a local boardwalk. With a historic El Niño developing in the Pacific, officials anticipate further severe storms during the upcoming winter.