California coastline braces for more flooding as communities grapple with damage
Newport Beach placed sand barriers along its coast Monday after large waves flooded roads on the Balboa Peninsula. The city declared an emergency over the weekend as it responded to the damage.
The National Weather Service reduced an Orange County coastal flood warning to an advisory on Sunday. It is expected to remain active until Tuesday afternoon, with high tides forecast at 7 to 7.5 feet on Monday and Tuesday.
Officials linked the flooding, which began Thursday evening, to elevated sea levels and unusually strong swells associated with Hurricane Rachel. Newport Beach Public Information Manager Georgia Rios said the protective berms were holding up.
City Manager Seimone Jurjis signed an emergency order Friday to help secure regional support for protecting property. County staff and neighboring Costa Mesa provided sandbags, while county crews brought bulldozers to build barriers and mutual-aid workers helped operate pumps.
Officials plan sand replenishment at Capo Beach on Tuesday. The surf is expected to ease gradually over the coming days, but city leaders warn that climbing on the berms could weaken their protection against flooding.
Key points
- Flooding began Thursday as strong swells and elevated sea levels affected the Balboa Peninsula.
- The coastal flood advisory remains in effect until Tuesday afternoon; high tides are forecast Monday and Tuesday.
- Regional crews have helped pump water and build berms, with Capo Beach sand work planned for Tuesday.