Newport Beach is bracing for potentially record-breaking king tides as a coastal flood warning remains in force across Orange County, with officials reinforcing defences after ocean water inundated parts of the Balboa Peninsula earlier this month.
The National Weather Service warning covers the period from Monday, October 26, until Thursday afternoon, October 29. Low-lying streets, car parks, cycle paths, harbour walkways and waterfront properties are considered particularly vulnerable to flooding and beach erosion.
Newport Beach City Council has declared a local emergency and activated its Emergency Operations Centre to co-ordinate preparations, monitor water levels and deploy crews and equipment if conditions worsen.
Workers are strengthening large sand berms along the coast, positioning sandbags and preparing pumps, tide valves and other equipment in areas at risk. The city is also offering free pre-filled sandbags at several locations, including Marina Park and a temporary fire station near Balboa Pier.
Recent ocean levels have been measured between 18 and 22 inches above predicted astronomical tides, raising concern that the incoming king tides could be significantly higher than forecast. Officials have warned that flooding could affect the Balboa Peninsula, islands in Newport Harbor and other low-lying waterfront communities.
The latest preparations follow flooding on October 9, when seawater covered roads and affected vehicles, homes and businesses. Newport Beach issued a second local emergency declaration on October 19, ahead of the latest period of exceptionally high tides.
Coastal flood warning remains in force
The city has urged residents to move vehicles away from flood-prone streets, clear debris from drains and protect vulnerable doorways, garages and seawalls. People have also been warned not to walk or drive through flooded roads or climb on protective sand berms.
A major beach replenishment project is due to begin later this week, bringing about 100,000 cubic yards of sand to eroded sections of West Newport Beach between 36th and 62nd Streets. The work is intended to restore the shoreline and provide additional protection from erosion and flooding.
The disruption extends beyond the shoreline. Metrolink has suspended Orange County Line services between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside from Monday, October 26, through Friday, October 30, because of the forecast high tides.
Trains will continue to run between Los Angeles Union Station and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, but no replacement bus service will be provided for the suspended section. Metrolink said the change was designed to reduce the risk of widespread delays and cancellations along the coastal rail corridor.
Newport Beach officials said this week’s event is the first of a series of unusually high tides expected in October, November, December and into the new year. Crews will continue monitoring conditions as the coastal flood threat develops.
