Newport Beach officials declared a local emergency Monday, activating the city’s Emergency Operations Center in anticipation of exceptionally high tides next week. The declaration, approved by the City Council, aims to bolster flood prevention and response efforts ahead of king tides expected from October 26-28. Low-lying neighborhoods along the Balboa Peninsula, islands in Newport Harbor, and other waterfront areas are considered particularly vulnerable to potential coastal flooding.
This proactive measure follows widespread damage and street flooding experienced earlier this month. Powerful waves and elevated ocean water levels associated with Tropical Storm Rachel led to a previous local emergency declaration, along with temporary closures of the Newport and Balboa piers and the Wedge surfing area. While conditions improved and those areas reopened on October 12, protective sand berms remained in place, and city officials continued to caution residents about elevated surf and high tides.
The current emergency declaration is intended to help the city secure additional resources for flood prevention and response. Concurrently, the activated Emergency Operations Center will coordinate preparations among various city departments. Officials have expressed concern that recent ocean water levels have been running approximately 18 to 22 inches higher than predicted astronomical tides. This raises the possibility that next week’s high tides could result in more severe flooding than current forecasts indicate, potentially leading to significantly higher actual water levels if these conditions persist.
These upcoming king tides represent the first in a series of unusually high tide events anticipated through October, November, December, and into the new year. City officials further noted that El Niño conditions could contribute to elevated ocean water levels in the coming months, exacerbating the flood risk.
In a related action, the City Council also approved a contract for the West Newport Beach Sand Replenishment Project. This project will involve placing approximately 100,000 cubic yards of sand along eroded beach areas located between 36th and 62nd streets. The sand, sourced from the mouth of the Santa Ana River, is intended to replenish beaches affected by recent storms and enhance protection against erosion and coastal flooding. Work on this critical project is expected to commence later this week.
During the earlier flooding incident, city crews worked alongside Orange County personnel to reinforce sand berms, actively pump water from inundated streets, and safeguard homes and businesses situated along the coastline. Orange County Board Vice Chair Katrina Foley previously stated that the county provided assistance to Newport Beach with tens of thousands of sandbags, pumping equipment, and additional personnel during that period.
Newport Beach maintains a comprehensive network of 86 tidal valves, engineered to prevent rising ocean water from backing up through storm drains, alongside 18 pumps dedicated to removing standing water from streets near the harbor. Municipal crews are currently engaged in reinforcing protective beach berms, conducting inspections of stormwater infrastructure, preparing tide valves and pumping systems, and strategically positioning sandbags, equipment, and personnel in identified flood-prone areas. City staff will continue to vigilantly monitor tide predictions, weather forecasts, and actual ocean water levels both before and during the impending high tides.
Officials cautioned that despite extensive preparations, it may not be possible to eliminate all potential flooding. They urged waterfront property owners and residents in vulnerable neighborhoods to take proactive steps to protect their homes, vehicles, and personal belongings. Residents are encouraged to install sandbags or temporary flood barriers near seawalls, garages, doorways, and other low-lying openings. Property owners should also inspect their private flood protection systems, ensure drains and gutters are clear of debris, and move vehicles away from streets and parking areas known to be susceptible to flooding.
The city strongly advised residents against walking or driving through flooded streets and emphasized the importance of obeying all temporary road closures and posted warnings. For those in need of flood protection materials, free, prefilled sandbags are available at the city’s Corporation Yard, located at 592 Superior Ave.; Marina Park, at 1600 W. Balboa Blvd.; and temporary Fire Station No. 1, situated in the East Ocean Front Parking Lot near Balboa Pier. Empty sandbags can also be obtained at Lifeguard Headquarters and Newport Beach fire stations, though officials noted that supplies are limited.
The city may implement temporary street closures and parking restrictions as warranted by conditions. Residents can find comprehensive information regarding anticipated tides, flood protection measures, and sandbag availability by visiting NewportBeachCA.gov/ElNino. Emergency alerts are also accessible through Newport Notified at NBPD.org. Officials reiterated the importance of calling 911 in the event of an immediate threat to life or safety.
