Long Beach is bracing for another spell of dangerous surf as Hurricane Polo sends a powerful swell towards Southern California, only weeks after Hurricane Marie damaged the peninsula’s shoreline.
The National Weather Service has issued high surf and coastal flood advisories for Los Angeles County beaches from 5am on Monday until 5pm on Tuesday. Surf of between four and seven feet is expected, with the greatest danger coming from strong rip currents, beach erosion and flooding during high tides.
Polo is forecast to remain hundreds of miles offshore, but its swell could still affect exposed coastal areas. The city has been reinforcing vulnerable sections of the shoreline with 3,000lb sandbags, while crews continue repairs to parts of the boardwalk damaged by Marie.
“Little bit anxious. The last one did so much damage,” said Ted Hollister, a Long Beach resident.
Residents say the beach has been dramatically reduced since the earlier storm. Hollister said the water, which would normally be about 100 yards from the properties during the summer, was now within 10 feet of a retaining wall.
Long Beach shoreline reinforced ahead of Hurricane Polo
Some of the temporary defences have already been tested by the incoming swell. Chris Sweeney, another resident, said waves had broken over the sandbags and appeared to have washed them out of sight.
“You can see all the damage already from previous weeks. It’s scary,” Sweeney said.
Long Beach has also expanded its preparations for the latest storm. The city is testing a temporary system using heavy-duty sandbags to reduce wave energy along sections of the peninsula, and a sandbag distribution site has been opened for residents.
City manager Tom Modica has declared a local emergency, a move approved by the city council that allows officials to use emergency powers during the winter storm season. Around 20 homes were evacuated during the flooding caused by Hurricane Marie, while parts of the boardwalk were destroyed.
The National Weather Service is urging people to stay out of the water and away from rocks and jetties while conditions remain hazardous. Officials also warn that waves could reach low-lying areas, beach paths, parking lots and harbour walkways.
For residents still repairing the damage left by Marie, the arrival of Hurricane Polo represents another test for a fragile stretch of coastline.
“I’m a little bit excited, but nervous excited to see,” said Helen Llerenas, a Long Beach resident. “This is going to tell us how the rest of the winter is going to go too.”
