Newport Beach Activates Emergency Response for 22-Inch Tide Surge

Newport Beach declared a local emergency on Monday to prepare for coastal flooding expected later this week. The declaration came more than a week before the forecasted high tides are scheduled to arrive.

The National Weather Service predicts significant flooding in San Diego and Orange counties through Thursday. Roads may close, and water is expected to enter homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Further north, areas from San Luis Obispo County to Los Angeles County face minor to moderate flooding, with tides potentially reaching 8 feet.

City staff in Newport Beach are currently inspecting infrastructure, reinforcing beach berms, and installing sandbags. The city is providing free sandbags to residents and urging them to check vulnerable areas around their properties.

Seimone Jurjis, the city manager for Newport Beach, stated that ocean water levels in the region are already 15 to 22 inches higher than expected. This elevation is attributed to El Niño and the Kelvin wave.

Jurjis noted that a rise of a foot and a half can determine whether water stays below a seawall or spills into streets, garages, and homes. She emphasized that this risk is heightened during some of the highest tides of the year.

The San Diego NWS office advised the public to avoid beaches during high tides and to stay farther back from the ocean than usual. Waves are expected to run much farther up the beach, and officials recommended staying off rock walls and jetties.

This month has already produced extreme weather in the region, including street flooding and large waves that struck beachside homes. The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel previously damaged homes, destroyed a boardwalk, and forced evacuations in parts of California.