California High Tides Flood Newport Beach and Long Beach

Exceptionally high tides inundated streets, businesses and low-lying coastal areas across Southern California on Monday, October 26, as Newport Beach and Long Beach faced renewed flooding and officials prepared for even higher water levels. The National Weather Service warned that coastal flooding could continue through Thursday, threatening properties, transportation routes and infrastructure along the California coast.

According to the National Weather Service, a tide gauge in San Pedro recorded a preliminary water level of 8.02 feet on Monday morning, surpassing the previous record of 7.93 feet set on January 10, 2005. Newport Beach gauges reached 8.3 feet around 9:15 a.m., nearly 2 feet above the predicted astronomical high tide of 6.6 feet, according to the Orange County Register.

The National Weather Service forecast that astronomical tides in Southern California would peak Tuesday, October 27, at 9:52 a.m. An approximately 8.5-foot tide was expected in Newport Beach, while coastal communities elsewhere faced additional flooding as observed water levels remained above astronomical predictions.

Officials warned of significant coastal flooding in San Diego and Orange counties, with potential road closures and water entering homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. Areas from San Luis Obispo County to Los Angeles County could experience minor to moderate flooding, while low-lying parts of the San Francisco Bay Area faced possible inundation of up to 2.1 feet.

The National Weather Service office in San Diego urged residents to avoid beaches during high tides, maintain greater distances from the ocean, stay away from rock walls and jetties, and protect properties vulnerable to flooding. Forecasters warned that waves could travel farther up beaches than expected.

In Newport Beach, floodwater spread through the Balboa Fun Zone and reached several businesses. City spokesperson Georgia Rios said residents had taken precautions ahead of the high tides.

"It wasn’t as bad as it could have been," Rios said.

The city distributed an estimated 25,000 sandbags and suspended parking enforcement until 6 p.m. Wednesday to allow residents to move vehicles to safer locations. Officials also arranged for the Balboa Ferry to stop transporting cars between Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula from 8 a.m. to noon on coming days, while continuing to carry pedestrian passengers.

Rios warned that flooding could worsen as the tides rose again.

"Once it lapses over one seawall, it pours over into the streets," Rios said.

She also warned residents about the next high tide.

"(Tuesday) is going to be worse, we want to make sure it’s as safe as possible to make sure we don’t have water in our streets."

Residents also reported concerns about vehicles crossing flooded streets. Newport Beach resident Bill Sharp watched a dark gray electric car move through approximately a foot of salt water near a bridge leading to Newport Island.

"I would not be driving an electric car here," Sharp said.

He emphasized his concern about the flooded roadway.

"Super bad idea."

Sharp noted that a similar stretch had flooded several months earlier, when a comparable vehicle caught fire following saltwater intrusion. Some residents had placed sandbags against seawalls, while others had not adequately protected their properties.

"There are a handful of houses where the owner has a really low seawall and they did not sandbag like

In Long Beach, high water crossed sand barriers at Bayshore Beach and flowed toward waterfront homes and businesses along 54th Place. Water also entered a garage below sea level, flooding a restored 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, according to ABC7.

Resident Annie Koury described how quickly the water entered the garage.

"All of a sudden, that water just came in, and I went to open the car and the water started going in the car. So I just closed the door," Koury said.

Flooding also affected the Naples neighborhood and Marine Stadium, where water reached streets, sidewalks and parking areas. City crews built additional sand berms near Bayshore Beach to reduce further inundation.

In Huntington Beach, Caltrans temporarily closed both northbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway between the Bolsa Chica State Beach entrance and Warner Avenue after water overflowed the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Officials announced another closure from Warner Avenue to Anderson Street between 8 a.m. and noon Tuesday.

Newport Beach had declared a local emergency more than a week before the forecast peak tides. City crews inspected infrastructure, reinforced beach berms and distributed sandbags as part of preparations for flooding.

City Manager Seimone Jurjis said regional ocean levels had already risen approximately 15 to 22 inches above expected levels because of El Niño and a Kelvin wave.

"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," Jurjis said.

The flooding followed months of damaging coastal weather, including powerful surf, previous inundation and damage to homes along the Southern California shoreline. The National Weather Service warned that high tides could continue challenging historical records through Wednesday, with coastal flood warnings and advisories remaining in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday.