Southern California braces for record high tides this week

A five-day coastal flood advisory took effect on Sunday morning, prompting local officials and residents across Orange County and Long Beach to prepare for unusually high water levels. While the initial flooding was manageable, forecasters warn that the tides expected on Monday could potentially shatter historical records for the region. The National Weather Service has labeled the upcoming event as near or even record-breaking, urging communities to remain vigilant.

In Newport Beach, the impact was already visible on Sunday. Briar Ayloush stood on her flooded street near Huntington Harbour, worried about the structural integrity of her dock. She feared the more dramatic tides arriving on Monday might dislodge it from its pylons. In contrast, her three young children enjoyed the transformation of their sidewalk into a shallow pond, playing in the water without concern.

Specific tide predictions for Monday morning are alarming for coastal areas. In San Pedro, a peak high tide of 8 feet is forecast for 9:18 a.m., a level that would break the local record. Newport Beach is expected to see 6.5 feet at 9:15 a.m., while Long Beach will likely experience 6.4 feet at 9:22 a.m. Meteorologists note that these figures do not account for additional variables such as warm water temperatures, which could push the tides even higher.

Despite the forecasts, many residents appeared unbothered on Sunday. On the Balboa and Long Beach peninsulas, which suffered from large waves in previous weeks, there were few signs of panic or extensive preparation. Beachgoers continued their usual activities, walking past large protective berms. In Seal Beach, a chocolate labradoodle named Yogi barked at the water filling Seal Beach Boulevard, signaling to its owner, Bruce Baral, that the situation was unusual. Baral noted that while flooding occurs near the drainage canal, he had never seen it cross multiple traffic lanes to reach his side of the street.

Brad Ross, a resident of a triplex near Huntington Harbour, waded through several inches of water on Pacific Coast Highway. He described the event as the highest tide he had ever witnessed. Concerned about saltwater damage to his vehicle, Ross moved his car to a drier location. He viewed the situation as a useful test for residents to understand the necessary steps for preparing against future flooding events.

Newport Beach police reported that Sunday’s high tide peaked at 8 feet, which was approximately 1.8 feet above predicted levels. City crews remained active throughout the day, operating pumps and positioning sandbags in low-lying areas. On Balboa Island, sandbags lined the pedestrian path along Bay Front, though puddles on the Grand Canal walkway did not deter visitors enjoying the warm weather.

In Long Beach, city crews continued to build sand berms and work on the Alamitos Bay Dredging Project, a $11.4 million initiative that began on October 20. Medium-sized waves were observed hitting homes on Seaside Way that had previously sustained damage. City officials reported that seven homes have been red-tagged and two yellow-tagged since Tropical Storm Rachel.

The current advisory is set to expire at 1 p.m. on Thursday, with tides expected to range between 7.5 and 8 feet. Forecasters indicated that the tides are likely to surpass the record of 7.93 feet set in San Pedro on January 10, 2005. Historical records for the area date back to 1924, making this a significant meteorological event.

The immediate weather outlook remains mild, with daytime highs expected in the mid to upper 70s. However, conditions are likely to change by Thursday. The National Weather Service stated that onshore winds will return, temperatures will drop, and a low-pressure system will form over the West Coast. This shift will open a window for a significant storm to impact the local area as early as Friday, with the highest likelihood occurring over the weekend.

Rain is increasingly probable in the coming days. Forecasters estimate a 90 percent chance of precipitation between October 30 and November 2. This weather pattern is expected to affect local plans, including Halloween activities, as the region transitions from high tides to a more active storm system.