Record-breaking tides swamped Southern California’s coastline Tuesday, forcing highway closures and sending residents scrambling to protect homes and vehicles from the surging Pacific.
The tide gauge in San Pedro hit 8.02 feet Monday, breaking a record that had stood since January 10, 2005, according to the National Weather Service. Records at that gauge stretch back to November 1923. By Tuesday morning, the surge pushed even higher, with forecasters confirming a record-setting 8.4-foot tide at 10 a.m. In Newport Beach.
In Orange County, the rising water overwhelmed Pacific Coast Highway in multiple locations. Caltrans shut down both directions between Warner Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard Tuesday morning, then closed northbound lanes between Seapoint Street and Warner Avenue. Even as the tide began to recede, water kept spilling onto the roadway, forcing the ultimate closure of PCH in both directions between Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.
Newport Beach officials raced to minimize damage, activating pumps and building sand berms to shield vulnerable neighborhoods concentrated along the Balboa Peninsula. The city also took the unusual step of suspending parking enforcement through Wednesday evening, giving residents breathing room to relocate vehicles from flood-prone areas.
The Newport Boulevard Bridge waterway was closed from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday specifically to prevent boat wakes from pushing additional water into nearby properties during the morning high tide. Boaters throughout Newport Harbor were urged to slow down and exercise caution near low-lying waterfront areas, with the bridge waterway scheduled to close again Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Tides were running approximately 1 to 1.7 feet above astronomical predictions in Orange County and roughly 1 to 1.5 feet above predictions along the Los Angeles County coast. A coastal flood warning remained in effect for the Orange County coastline through 1 p.m. Thursday, while a coastal flood advisory covered the Los Angeles County coastline through the same period.
The surge has also disrupted regional transit. Metrolink’s Orange County Line was suspended Monday between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside, with trains originating and terminating at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo through Friday.
Forecasters warned that more significant flooding and damage are possible in areas where little or no sandy beach remains, or where previous high tides have already caused problems.
Away from the coastline, the weather pattern offered some relief. Los Angeles and Orange counties can expect dry, mild conditions through at least Friday, with temperatures gradually cooling and clouds increasing.
Rain could arrive this weekend, although forecasters noted the potential storm system has been trending weaker in computer models. “Still looks like a high chance of rain with the most likely period being Saturday into Sunday but at this time amounts seem to be under an inch,” the weather agency reported.
The chance of a brief shower Friday stands at 15% to 25%, with Saturday night offering the best chance of rain. Showers could taper off by Sunday afternoon, though confidence in the timing remains moderate. Current projections call for roughly one-third to one-half inch of rain across most areas, with the eastern San Gabriel Mountains potentially receiving around an inch.
The coastal chaos is expected to continue through Thursday, with unusually high morning tides threatening more flooding to vulnerable beach communities before conditions gradually ease.
