Exceptionally high tides impacted the Orange County coastline on Monday, leading to street flooding in Newport Beach. The tide in Newport Beach reached 8.3 feet on Monday, with a forecast of 8.5 feet for Tuesday, according to the Newport Beach Police Department. Ocean water inundated streets in low-lying areas of the city.
To protect vulnerable neighborhoods, particularly along the Balboa Peninsula, water pumps were activated and sand berms were placed. The Newport Beach Police Department advised residents, stating, “If you live in a low-lying or waterfront area, please take precautions to protect your home and property.” Residents were encouraged to use sandbags or temporary flood barriers and move vehicles to higher ground if necessary. Parking enforcement in Newport Beach has been suspended through Wednesday evening to facilitate the relocation of vehicles from flood-prone zones.
A coastal flood warning for the entire Orange County coastline remains in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters reported that tides are currently running approximately 1 to 1.7 feet above astronomical predictions in Orange County. Minor coastal flooding is expected in other susceptible low-lying areas, including harbor walkways, beach parking lots, bike paths, and normally sandy beaches. Locations with little to no remaining sandy beach or those previously affected by high tides may experience more significant flooding and damage.
The anticipated high tides also caused disruptions to rail service along the Orange County coastline. Metrolink Orange County Line service was suspended on Monday between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations. Trains will originate and terminate at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo through Friday.
Despite the coastal flooding, dry weather prevailed across Orange County on Monday, with temperatures generally a few degrees below normal. Additional cooling is expected on Tuesday, bringing highs into the 70s for most coastal and valley areas. A more extensive marine layer is forecast for Wednesday, leading to morning clouds in coastal areas and many valleys, with some beaches potentially remaining cloudy throughout the day. By Thursday, mostly cloudy skies and highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s are anticipated across much of the region.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service indicated a potentially moderate to strong storm system could bring rain to Southern California over the Halloween weekend. There is a 10% to 20% chance of brief, light showers on Friday, with high confidence that rain will fall during the weekend, though timing and intensity remain uncertain. Current projections suggest around 1 inch of rain across most areas south of Point Conception, with higher amounts possible in foothill and coastal slope areas. Forecasters noted a 20% to 30% chance that rainfall totals could reach double those amounts. High temperatures are expected to stay in the mid- to upper 60s through the weekend. The NWS also indicated a 50% to 60% chance of above-normal precipitation continuing into the following week.
