Water levels in the Los Angeles Harbor rose to 8 feet, 2 inches on Tuesday, breaking a record set one day earlier.
The surge pushed ocean water upward through street storm drains, covering sections of the Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach and prompting closures along the route. In Newport Beach, seawater entered a marine fueling station office, while properties across Sunset Beach and Huntington Beach sustained coastal flooding.
Emergency Berms Face Gaps
The Long Beach Fire Department observed water rising slightly above 8 feet, running 2 feet higher than the 6-foot tide level anticipated by forecasters. Emergency crews used low-tide windows to construct large sand berms and shore up damaged sea barriers along the peninsula's boardwalk. Despite those barriers, seawater breached streets around 54th Place and Bayshore Beach, leaving an unprotected gap near 66th Place.
Local resident Austin Ocampo noted the limitations of the physical barriers as water surged. "The sand berms, they're doing only what they can do. But once that tide starts getting pretty high, homes are going to be at risk for full flooding," Ocampo said.
High Water Expected Through Friday
Long Beach municipal officials told residents to avoid damaged coastal zones and warned drivers never to enter standing water on roadways. Forecasters project that elevated high tides will continue affecting the Southern California coast through Friday. Coastal specialists claimed that full-moon king tides scheduled for November and December could bring even more severe flooding if they arrive alongside winter storms.
