Southern California prepares for flooding amid forecast of ‘record-breaking tides’

Residents of coastal towns told to avoid beaches during high tides and keep further away from the ocean than usual

Southern California coastal communities are preparing for days of flooding amid potentially “record-breaking tides” this week.

The National Weather Service warned that significant coastal flooding was expected in San Diego and Orange counties through Thursday that could close roads and inundate homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. To the north, a wide swath of the coast from San Luis Obispo county to Los Angeles county could see “minor to moderate” coastal flooding with tides as high as 8ft.

By Monday morning, the NWS office in Los Angeles reported that it was already seeing record tides. Preliminary observations from the agency’s San Pedro tide gauge were at 8.02ft, the highest seen in data dating back to November 1923.

“Avoid the beaches during high tides, keep farther back from the ocean than usual (waves will run much farther up the beach that expected), stay off rock walls/jetties, and make sure flood-prone property is protected this week,” the NWS office in San Diego said in a statement.

More than a week before the exceptionally high tides were forecast to arrive, the Orange county city of Newport Beach declared a local emergency to prepare for flooding. Staff were deploying across the area to inspect infrastructure, reinforce beach berms and install sandbags and other equipment, the city said. Newport Beach is providing free sandbags and advised residents to inspect vulnerable areas around their properties.

Due to El Niño and the Kelvin wave , ocean water levels in the region have already been about 15 to 22in higher than expected, the Newport Beach city manager, Seimone Jurjis, said in a statement .

“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.

This month has already brought extreme weather in the region, including flooding that overtook city streets and large waves that struck beachside homes. The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel left a trail of destruction in California, significantly damaging homes, destroying a boardwalk and forcing residents to evacuate.

With a historic El Niño unfolding in the Pacific, California is expected to face severe storms this winter.