The city of Newport Beach declared a local emergency Friday in response to coastal flooding that inundated streets on the Balboa Peninsula, with officials warning that high surf and elevated tides could cause additional flooding through the weekend.
The declaration followed higher-than-normal surf and elevated ocean water levels associated with Tropical Storm Rachel that contributed to street flooding Thursday night, according to city officials.
City Manager Seimone Jurjis, acting as the city’s director of emergency services, issued the emergency declaration Friday to help Newport Beach obtain additional resources to protect public and private property.
The city urged residents and motorists Friday to avoid the Balboa Peninsula, where streets have been flooded, and warned that continued high surf and elevated tides could worsen conditions.
Six city crews were working Friday to rebuild protective sand berms along the shoreline, while additional teams operated pumps and opened tide valves to drain flooded streets, according to city officials.
Officials said the emergency response would continue through the weekend, with crews monitoring ocean conditions and deploying additional resources as needed.
Temporary street closures and parking restrictions may be implemented if conditions worsen, according to the city.
Residents in waterfront and flood-prone neighborhoods were encouraged to protect their properties with sandbags or temporary barriers, clear debris from gutters and drainage areas when safe to do so and move vehicles away from areas vulnerable to flooding.
City officials emphasized that flood mitigation efforts cannot eliminate all risks and urged residents to avoid walking or driving through flooded streets.
The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory for Orange County beaches that will remain in effect until 2 p.m. Tuesday, warning of flooding in low-lying coastal areas during high tides.
Forecasters said tides could reach 6.5 to 7 feet during morning and evening high tide periods, with additional south swells expected to produce another round of elevated surf Sunday through Tuesday. The highest surf is expected Sunday.
Surf of 3 to 5 feet, with occasional sets reaching 6 feet, was forecast Friday, along with dangerous rip currents.
The weather service warned that coastal flooding could affect beach parking lots, boardwalks and roads, with isolated road closures and minor beach erosion possible.
The extent of damage from the flooding was not immediately known.
Beachgoers were urged to exercise extreme caution near the ocean, where elevated surf, rip currents and rapidly changing conditions could pose hazards for swimmers, surfers and boaters.
The city is providing free, prefilled sandbags at its Corporation Yard, 592 Superior Ave. Empty sandbags are available at Newport Beach fire stations, subject to supplies on hand. Lifeguards on the Balboa Peninsula also have sandbags available in their vehicles.
Newport Beach maintains a network of 86 tidal valves designed to prevent rising ocean water from backing up through storm drains, along with 18 pumps used to remove standing water from streets near the harbor.
The city has previously identified the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, Newport Island and other low-lying harborfront neighborhoods as areas particularly vulnerable to flooding during unusually high tides.
Residents were encouraged to monitor official city communications and register for Newport Notified emergency alerts at NBPD.org.
Residents seeking additional information about sandbags and flood protection can contact the city’s Municipal Operations Department at 949-644-3055.