California coastline braces for more flooding as communities grapple with damage

California coastline braces for more flooding as communities grapple with damage ‘We didn't expect the swell to hit this early. We've been in the planning stages for the past few weeks, but this hit a little earlier because of Hurricane Rachel,’ an official said - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Newport Beach was lined with protective sand barriers on Monday after heavy waves flooded streets along the Balboa Peninsula and triggered a local emergency over the weekend. The highest threat of coastal flooding passed on Sunday, though minor to moderate flooding remains possible through Tuesday as a result of lingering high tides and elevated waves, leaving community members and local authorities keeping a close watch on elevated surf. A coastal flood warning previously covering Orange County beaches was downgraded to an advisory on Sunday afternoon, remaining in force until 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Peak morning high tides of 7 to 7.5 feet are predicted for Monday and Tuesday, with high surf expected to ease slowly over the coming days, meteorologists said. Public access was temporarily prohibited at the Newport Pier, Balboa Pier, the Balboa parking lot, and the Wedge from the rock jetty to M Street over the weekend for public safety and to safeguard the protective earthen mounds. "Individuals climbing on the sand berms can compromise the berms' structural integrity and reduce their effectiveness in protecting nearby homes and infrastructure from coastal flooding," city officials said. "Things are looking good. Our berms are staying strong, which is great,” said Newport Beach public information manager Georgia Rios. The emergency declaration was prompted after higher-than-average swells and elevated sea levels linked to Rachel began spilling across Balboa Peninsula streets on Thursday evening. City Manager Seimone Jurjis, acting in his capacity as the city's director of emergency services, formally signed the emergency decree on Friday to secure added regional assistance for public and private property protection. "Everybody got caught off guard," Orange County Board Vice Chair Katrina Foley told CNS Sunday. "We didn't expect the swell to hit this early. We've been in the planning stages for the past few weeks, but this hit a little earlier because of Hurricane Rachel. We had already planned to do some sand replenishment at Capo Beach, which we're still planning to do on Tuesday." Foley noted that her office assisted in securing 10,000 sandbags for the city on Friday morning, followed by an additional 20,000 later in the day, with extra sandbags supplied by nearby Costa Mesa. She also helped coordinate wider county emergency aid over the weekend to assist with water removal efforts. "At my request based on a request by (the) Newport Utilities director and mayor on Saturday and Sunday, Water Emergency Response of OC sent 20 mutual aide staff to join Newport Beach city pumpers" to manage pumping operations, Foley told CNS. County public works personnel also dispatched bulldozers to push sand and build protective berms along north Newport Beach, roughly half a mile from the river outlet. Prefilled sandbags were set out for collection at the City Corporation Yard at 592 Superior Ave., Marina Park at 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., and Fire Station No. 1 at the East Ocean Front Parking Lot near Balboa Pier. Unfilled sandbags were provided at the Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters at 70 Newport Pier. "I've been on the phone with the Coastal Commission to try to help get support for Beach Row residents," Foley said. "We've also reached out to building trades to see if they can help with labor and equipment." She added that her team reached out to the governor's office for potential support from the conservation corps or National Guard, stating: "We're all hands on deck." To shore up vulnerable coastal stretches, municipal crews also relocated sand from the Santa Ana River bottom, Rios confirmed. On Friday, six municipal crews worked to reconstruct damaged shoreline berms while additional teams operated pumps and opened tide valves to clear standing water from flooded roads. Newport Beach uses a network of 86 tidal valves designed to prevent ocean surges from backing up into storm drains, alongside 18 pumps to pull water off harborfront streets. Neighborhoods including the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, and Newport Island have long been identified as particularly susceptible to high-tide flooding. Officials reiterated calls for drivers and pedestrians to avoid flooded areas on the Peninsula, warning that continued high swells and tide cycles could worsen conditions. The weather service added that shoreline erosion remains a threat during morning high tides, with strong surf maintaining dangerous rip currents. Residents in vulnerable neighborhoods were urged to place sandbags, clear gutters when safe, and move parked vehicles away from flood zones. "This is the worst I've seen it in my 20 years on the Peninsula," City Councilman Joe Stapleton told the Los Angeles Times. A local resident who bought his beachfront house 27 years ago shared similar shock, telling the newspaper: "I haven't seen one drop of water on that sand in 27 years. All the sand, not one drop of water. We all love living on this oceanfront. But, boy, it makes you think twice." Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments