NewsLos Angeles MagazineOctober 26, 2026Los Angeles County
National Weather Service warns of record-approaching high tides and minor to moderate coastal flooding in Southern California
Photo: Los Angeles Magazine
The National Weather Service issued a coastal warning advisory for Southern California predicting elevated water levels between 7.5 and 8 feet through Thursday afternoon. A local emergency was declared and the Emergency Operations Center activated in Newport Beach to deploy sandbags and reinforce sand berms in low-lying areas. Ocean water levels have recently run 15 to 22 inches higher than predicted due to ocean conditions like El Niño and Kelvin waves.
Read the full story at Los Angeles MagazineWhy It Matters
Seaside parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways face minor to moderate flooding risks during morning hours, prompting emergency deployments of sandbags along vulnerable coastal communities.
Key Facts
- High tides ranging from 7.5 to 8 feet are predicted in Southern California during morning hours through 1 p.m. Thursday.
- A local emergency was declared and the Emergency Operations Center was activated in Newport Beach to bring additional resources for the weather event.
- Ocean water levels have been running approximately 15 to 22 inches higher than predicted due to ocean conditions including El Niño and the Kelvin wave.
- Beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways face the greatest risk of minor to moderate flooding.
- The all-time record high tide in Los Angeles was recorded in Los Angeles Harbor on Jan. 10, 2025, reaching 7.92 feet.
- Tide impacts will be strongest Monday through Wednesday, with potential isolated Coastal Flood Warnings on Wednesday and Thursday if larger surf develops.
- Crews are reinforcing and protecting sand berms and placing thousands of sandbags along the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, and other low-lying areas.
Who's Mentioned
locationNewport Beach“City at risk where a local emergency was declared”PersonSeimone Jurjis“City manager of Newport Beach”locationSouthern California“Region covered by the coastal warning advisory”locationBalboa Peninsula“Area receiving thousands of sandbags”OrganizationNational Weather Service“Issued the coastal warning advisory”locationBalboa Island“Low-lying area receiving sandbag placements”locationLos Angeles“Location of predicted elevated water levels and harbor record”locationLos Angeles Harbor“Site of the all-time record high tide on Jan. 10, 2025”