Newport Beach and Huntington Beach brace for record high tides

Coastal communities in Orange County experienced significant flooding on Monday morning as exceptionally high tides pushed water levels to record highs. The Balboa Ferry suspended car transport from 8 a.m. to noon, and northbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway were closed in sections of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach until water levels receded.

In Newport Beach, tide gauges measured 8.3 feet at 9:15 a.m., nearly two feet higher than the predicted high tide of 6.6 feet. This surge caused water to spill over the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and flood streets in the Fun Zone area. Business owners in the vicinity scrambled to pump out water and clean up debris. Caltrans closed both northbound lanes of PCH between the Bolsa Chica State Beach entrance and Warner Avenue for several hours. City officials announced that PCH would remain closed from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday between Warner Avenue and Anderson Street.

The high tides also set an all-time record at the San Pedro tide gauge, reaching 8.02 feet and breaking the previous record of 7.93 feet set in January 2005. While the Kelvin wave from the equator has subsided, other factors such as warm-water expansion, recent rainfall, and ocean currents have contributed to the unexpectedly high water levels. Experts expect the highest tides of the week to occur on Tuesday at 9:52 a.m., with normal astronomical predictions around 6.8 feet, though actual levels may be one to two feet higher.

Newport Beach spokesperson Georgia Rios noted that flood-prone areas near the Balboa Fun Zone and River Avenue experienced surface flooding, with water entering several businesses. The city distributed an estimated 25,000 sandbags to residents and suspended parking enforcement until 6 p.m. on Wednesday to allow vehicles to be moved to safety. Lifeguards and fire crews worked to stack sandbags on Newport Island and the Balboa Peninsula to protect infrastructure.

In Huntington Beach, the situation was milder but still notable. Water overtopped walls on private and city-owned properties in Sunset Beach, with some water reaching the southbound lanes of PCH. Many neighborhoods in Huntington Harbor, including areas near Davenport Beach, saw minor to moderate flooding. Caltrans crews installed bladders to manage water levels and continue working to release water during low tides. Metrolink has suspended routes between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside due to the forecasted high tides.

Residents in both cities are coping with the flooding, with some wading through shin-deep water to inspect damage. Longtime resident Bill Sharp observed that while most neighbors prepared with sandbags, a few properties with low seawalls suffered more extensive water flow into yards and streets. Sharp warned that if a swell or rain coincides with the next round of king tides expected during Thanksgiving and Christmas, the situation could become more severe.

Fire Chief Jeff Boyles expressed optimism for Tuesday if the sandbag barriers hold, stating that the city is focusing on protecting low-lying areas. Although the current swell is small, officials are preparing for the possibility of higher water on Tuesday. The tides are expected to slowly decrease later in the week, dropping to 6.75 feet on Wednesday and 6.49 feet on Thursday, though actual levels may remain higher than predicted.

The Balboa Ferry, which has operated for over a century, continues to welcome pedestrian passengers but advises them to bring boots. City crews on the beach side built berms and placed sandbags to prevent waves from pushing water toward homes, although waves were not a major issue on Monday. The focus remains on the harbor side, where water spilling over seawalls can quickly flood streets if not contained.

As the city prepares for the peak tide on Tuesday, officials are urging residents to ensure their homes are protected. The combination of high tides and potential weather events poses a risk of significant property damage, highlighting the vulnerability of low-lying coastal areas in Southern California.