The short version
- National Weather Service data indicates tide levels in Los Angeles have surpassed records dating back to 1923.
- Local governments are deploying resources to reinforce barriers and distribute sandbags ahead of peak flooding events.
- Elevated ocean baselines caused by El Niño amplify the impact of high tides, increasing risks to homes and roads.
Coastal communities across Southern California are entering a period of heightened alert as forecasters predict days of significant flooding driven by exceptionally high tides. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for San Diego and Orange counties, indicating that water levels could inundate homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure through Thursday. To the north, areas stretching from Los Angeles County to San Luis Obispo County are expected to experience minor to moderate flooding, with tide heights reaching up to eight feet.
Data collected early in the week suggests these projections may be conservative. By Monday morning, the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles reported that tides were already breaking historical records. Preliminary readings from the San Pedro tide gauge showed levels at 8.02 feet, marking the highest point recorded since data collection began in November 1923. This surge represents a significant deviation from typical seasonal patterns and underscores the severity of the current weather event.
Officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution near the shoreline. The National Weather Service office in San Diego advised the public to avoid beaches during high tide periods and to maintain a greater distance from the ocean than usual. Waves are expected to run much farther up the beach than normal, posing risks to anyone standing on rock walls or jetties. Residents with property in flood-prone areas have been instructed to take protective measures immediately.
In response to the threat, local governments have moved quickly to mitigate potential damage. Newport Beach in Orange County declared a local emergency more than a week before the peak tides were expected to arrive. City staff are currently inspecting infrastructure, reinforcing beach berms, and installing sandbags and other protective equipment. The city is also providing free sandbags to residents, encouraging them to secure vulnerable areas around their properties.
The severity of this event is compounded by broader climatic factors. Seimone Jurjis, the city manager of Newport Beach, noted that ocean water levels in the region are already 15 to 22 inches higher than expected due to El Niño conditions and a Kelvin wave. While an increase of a foot and a half may seem modest, it can be the deciding factor between water remaining below seawalls and spilling into streets, garages, and homes, particularly during the year's highest tides.
This flooding event follows a month already marked by extreme weather in the region. Earlier this month, Tropical Storm Rachel left a trail of destruction across California, damaging homes, destroying a boardwalk, and forcing evacuations. The combination of storm remnants and now historic tidal surges has placed significant strain on coastal infrastructure and emergency response systems.
Looking ahead, meteorologists warn that these conditions are likely to persist as part of a larger pattern. With a historic El Niño unfolding in the Pacific Ocean, California is expected to face severe storms throughout the winter season. The current flooding serves as an early indicator of the challenges residents and officials will need to manage in the coming months.
The convergence of astronomical tides and elevated sea levels creates a complex hazard landscape. While some areas may see only minor inundation, others face the risk of significant disruption to transportation networks and residential safety. The rapid deployment of emergency resources highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for continued vigilance as water levels remain elevated.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Southern California prepares for flooding amid forecast of ‘record-breaking tides’
