NewsTimes of San DiegoOctober 27, 2026San Diego County
Record high tides and seawater flooding hit Mission Bay and low-lying San Diego areas
Photo: Times of San Diego
Record high tides and seawater breaching sand berms caused coastal flooding in Mission Bay and other low-lying areas of San Diego, threatening properties and stalling vehicles. Scientists warn that El Niño conditions, rising sea levels, and upcoming lunar cycles could bring severe king tides and winter storms over the holidays.
Read the full story at Times of San DiegoWhy It Matters
Coastal residents and property owners face ongoing property damage risks, road closures, and potential holiday storm disruptions as tide levels exceed predictions by over a foot.
Key Facts
- Seawater broke through the city's sand berm along Bayside Walk on Monday, Oct. 26, causing a flash flood in the yard of Mission Bay Puppy Rescue.
- NOAA's tide gauge at Broadway Pier recorded a peak of 8.52 feet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, which was more than a foot above predicted levels.
- Scientists attribute the heightened flooding risks to a combination of El Niño conditions, rising sea levels, and the peaks of the 18.6-year lunar nodal cycle and 4.4-year lunar perigee cycle.
- Oceanographer Mark Merrifield warns that exceptionally high king tides could occur around Christmas time due to the alignment of natural tidal cycles and El Niño.
- A student's car stalled after attempting to drive through unexpected floodwaters near Ingraham Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard on Monday morning.
- Meteorologists forecast cooler temperatures and rain over Halloween weekend in Southern California, adding to damp conditions.
- The 1990s-built storm drain system and the Santa Clara Place pump house helped prevent more extensive flooding in certain bayfront areas.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationMission Bay Puppy Rescue“Animal rescue organization whose yard was flooded by seawater.”OrganizationNational Weather Service“Provided preliminary reports showing tides approaching record highs.”locationMission Bay“Area experiencing coastal flooding from record high tides.”PersonMark Merrifield“Physical oceanographer and director of UC San Diego’s Center for Climate Change ”PersonBrian Nguyen“Individual who traveled through the same flooded water.”OrganizationPoint Loma Nazarene University“University attended by Jimmy Sundstrom.”OrganizationAccuWeather“Organization providing meteorologist forecasts.”PersonRenee Duff“AccuWeather meteorologist.”PersonJackie Nipper“Founder of Mission Bay Puppy Rescue.”locationSunset Cliffs Boulevard“Boulevard near the flooded roadway.”locationEl Carmel Point“Area near where residents struggled to drain water from flooded alleys.”OrganizationThe UCSD Guardian“Student publication where the author previously served as Photo Editor and Webma”locationSanta Clara Place“Location of the pump house helping prevent extensive flooding.”OrganizationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration“Recorded a peak tide gauge reading of 8.52 feet at Broadway Pier.”locationBroadway Pier“Location of NOAA's tide gauge in downtown San Diego.”locationIngraham Street“Street near where floodwaters were encountered.”PersonThomas Murphy“Author of the news article.”PersonJimmy Sundstrom“Student whose car stalled in floodwaters.”OrganizationUC San Diego“University operating the Center for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation.”OrganizationScripps Institution of Oceanography“Institution where Mark Merrifield works.”locationSan Diego“City where coastal flooding and high tides are occurring.”