Laguna Beach and Dana Point have declared local states of emergency in response to significant coastal erosion and damage to waterfront properties caused by high tides. The declarations follow high surf and rain associated with the fringes of Hurricane Marie during the recent Labor Day Weekend.
Laguna Beach declared its local state of emergency on Friday morning. Six homes in the city have been yellow-tagged, indicating restricted entry due to damage to seawalls. Additionally, several beaches and parking lots in Laguna Beach remain closed because of continued erosion and high surf. Laguna Beach City Manager Dave Kiff stated in a news release, "Most of us have never seen this much sand leave our beaches at once." He added that while the city expects sand to return, they are not relying on it, and with a strong El Niño forecast, rapid action is needed to protect homes, beaches, and public infrastructure.
Dana Point declared its emergency on Wednesday night. According to a city press release, nine homes in Dana Point have been red-tagged, deeming them unsafe to inhabit, and seven homes have been yellow-tagged due to damage from high swells. These local emergencies are set to last for one full week from their declaration dates, with provisions for extension if deemed necessary by the respective cities.
The declarations coincide with a National Weather Service announcement from Thursday, indicating a 75% chance that this year’s El Niño will bring a historic weather event. This forecast suggests the coast will likely experience even stronger storms and further erosion throughout the upcoming winter season.
Meanwhile, the city of San Clemente is preparing to consider its own state of emergency declaration at a city council meeting next week. San Clemente has reported significant damage to its pier, including a pylon and 17 braces, with repair costs estimated at approximately $300,000, according to a staff report. San Clemente officials are also calling on the Orange County Board of Supervisors to declare a county-wide state of emergency to address damages and related "unanticipated costs."
High surf on Sunday also damaged a portion of the train line in San Clemente that runs between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station and the Oceanside stop in San Diego County. The tracks are currently closed until further notice. A news release detailed that waves overtopped the tracks, causing deterioration along the adjacent slope and damaging previously placed protective rock. Crews are working to stabilize the tracks by adding large boulders, known as riprap. San Clemente city officials have previously expressed concerns that riprap may contribute to further deterioration of the shrinking coastline, an issue compounded by ongoing funding challenges. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) stated in a news release Tuesday that stabilizing the line is an ongoing project, undertaken in collaboration with city officials. OCTA also noted its continued work with state and local partners on longer-term planning to enhance the resiliency of the coastal rail corridor in south Orange County, alongside near-term stabilization and sand placement efforts to protect the existing rail line. The San Clemente city council meeting next week will determine the city's next steps regarding its own emergency declaration, while OCTA continues its stabilization efforts on the vital rail corridor.
