Long Beach officials were bracing for more damage from tidal surges associated with Tropical Storm Rachel Sunday, with two blocks of waterfront property already evacuated and evacuations warnings in effect for others.
Mayor Rex Richardson announced Saturday evening that eight structures across 13 addresses were red-tagged and another structure was yellow-tagged after waves pounded a portion of the Long Beach waterfront beginning Friday, in an area already battered by coastal erosion. A red tag indicates that a structure is unsafe to be occupied, while a yellow tag allows a property owner to enter temporarily to retrieve belongings but prohibits occupancy until the building is deemed structurally safe.
In addition, homes in the 6400 and 6500 blocks of Seaside Walk were under a mandatory evacuation order and people were urged to stay away from the Peninsula between Bay Shore Avenue and 72nd Place and stay off of sand berms built to protect homes, Richardson said.
An evacuation warning was in effect for Peninsula residents on 64th, 65th and 66th places south of Ocean Boulevard and homes in the 6200, 6300, 6600 and 6700 blocks of Seaside Walk, officials said. An evacuation advisory was in effect for all Naples Island, Treasure Island and Peninsula residents.
The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning until 3 p.m. Sunday, a high surf advisory from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and a coastal flood advisory from 3 p.m. Sunday to 2 p.m. Tuesday for the Malibu Coast and Los Angeles County beaches. Waves of 4 to 7 feet were expected, along with strong rip currents and significant beach erosion.
Mild to moderate rain was forecast but the real threat was from flooding and beach erosion due to high tides above 7 1/2 feet Sunday and 7 feet Monday, along with large waves and high winds.
Organizers of the Long Beach Marathon said the race would occur come rain or shine Sunday, though about 1 1/2 miles of the course was changed due to the Peninsula impacts.
Some sand berms built after the previous round of high surf were washed away in spots this weekend. Damage was visible to the boardwalk, with debris floating offshore as waves washed around and beneath waterfront homes.
City officials said 10,000 sandbags had been distributed to residents preparing for the latest storm, and urged residents and businesses to keep their sandbags throughout what could be an El Nino-charged fall and winter. Sand and sandbag distribution sites have also been activated at fire stations throughout Long Beach as officials prepare for additional impacts.
The city has developed a seven-point plan to strengthen protection of the Alamitos Peninsula, including repairing damaged infrastructure, replenishing beach sand, creating additional protective barriers and pursuing longer-term coastal protection projects and funding, officials said.
City Manager Tom Modica told reporters Saturday that crews have started moving 45,000 cubic yards of sand to add 200 feet of width to the weather-ravaged beach. That will be followed the week of Oct. 19 by a project to add 50,000 to 100,000 cubic yards of sand to the beach, to be followed by a new low-profile rock abutment. Much of the money for the projects would come from Tidelands funds.
Officials said construction-grade cranes were lifting more 3,000 lb. sand bags in place to support the sea wall.
The weather service warned that coastal flooding could damage beach roads and structures, particularly around morning high tides, while significant erosion is expected along beaches.
Forecasters said the severity of Sunday’s coastal flooding remains uncertain, with the possibility of substantially greater damage if multiple weather and ocean conditions peak simultaneously. Winds over coastal waters were expected to increase Sunday, potentially reaching 20 to 30 knots and generating steep, choppy seas hazardous to small vessels. Forecasters warned that large breaking waves could injure beachgoers, sweep people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore.
The weather service urged residents and visitors to stay off beaches, coastal walkways and vulnerable roads and structures, and warned motorists not to drive around barricades or through floodwaters of unknown depth.
Forecasters cautioned that the severity of rainfall, winds and coastal flooding will depend heavily on Rachel’s eventual track and intensity. Showers could continue through Tuesday night. Rainfall totals through Sunday evening were expected to range from one-tenth to one-half inch across Los Angeles County.
Long Beach officials said crews will continue monitoring conditions and assessing damage as the storm approaches.
Residents were encouraged to register for emergency notifications through Alert Long Beach at AlertLB.com and monitor updates at longbeach.gov/emergency.