Record High Tides Flood Orange County Coastal Communities

Seawater spilled over seawalls and into streets and businesses in Newport Beach as exceptionally high tides hit Orange County. In Huntington Beach, flooding affected Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach, with water reaching residential roads and threatening homes and businesses. A video showed a man kayaking along a flooded street, while crews pumped water from streets near Bayview Drive.

Newport Beach recorded a high tide of 8.4 feet on October 27, exceeding a forecast of 6.7 feet and setting a city record. The Balboa Island Ferry temporarily stopped running after water surged across the area. The city deployed pumps and used sandbags and sand berms to slow the flow. A Newport Beach councilman said the city’s preparations were working, while noting that some flooding was occurring on private and commercial property.

A full moon, warmer ocean waters and El Niño-related conditions contributed to the unusually high water levels. Scientists said a marine heat wave had raised sea levels by 1.25 to 1.8 feet beyond the effects of the moon, Earth and sun. Redondo Beach and Long Beach also saw flooding, and a record tide was measured in San Pedro.

Pacific Coast Highway had partial closures between Warner Avenue and Anderson Street in Sunset Beach on October 27, with officials warning that full closures could occur during high tides. Further unusually high tides are expected later in the year, including around major holidays, and officials cautioned that flooding could worsen if storms coincide with them.