High tides flooded the boardwalk at the Redondo Beach pier and neighborhoods in Newport Beach and Long Beach Tuesday, forcing the closure of parts of Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County flooding continued along the Southland coast.
According to the National Weather Service, very high morning tides are expected through Thursday.
“Minor coastal flooding is likely purely based on the high tides,” the agency said.
In Orange County, the northbound and southbound lanes of PCH were closed between Warner Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard Tuesday morning due to flooding, according to Caltrans. Northbound PCH was also closed between Seapoint Street and Warner Avenue.
In Newport Beach, the waterway beneath the Newport Boulevard Bridge was closed from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. to protect nearby properties from boat wakes during the morning high tide, which reached 8.5 feet at about 9:50 a.m., according to Newport Beach police. Boaters throughout Newport Harbor were urged to slow down and use caution near low-lying waterfront areas.
The flooding came a day after a tide gauge at San Pedro reached 8.02 feet, breaking the previous record of 7.93 feet set Jan. 10, 2005, according to the NWS. Records at the gauge date to November 1923, and tides may remain near record levels through Wednesday.
In Newport Beach, Monday’s high tide reached 8.3 feet and flooded streets in low-lying areas. Water pumps were activated and sand berms were in place to protect vulnerable neighborhoods, particularly along the Balboa Peninsula. Parking enforcement was suspended through Wednesday evening to give residents time to move vehicles from flood-prone areas.
A coastal flood warning remained in effect through 1 p.m. Thursday for the Orange County coastline. A coastal flood advisory covering the Los Angeles County coastline also remained in effect through 1 p.m. Thursday.
The tides were running about 1 to 1.7 feet above astronomical predictions in Orange County and roughly 1 to 1.5 feet above predictions along the Los Angeles County coastline, forecasters said. More significant flooding and damage are possible where little or no sandy beach remains or where previous high tides have already caused problems.
The tides also disrupted rail service along the Orange County coastline. Metrolink Orange County Line service was suspended Monday between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations, with trains originating and terminating at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo through Friday.
Away from the coast, dry and mild conditions are expected across Los Angeles and Orange counties through at least Friday, with gradual cooling and increasing clouds.
The NWS said computer models have been trending weaker for a storm system that could bring rain this weekend.
“Still looks like a high chance of rain with the most likely period being Saturday into Sunday but at this time amounts seem to be under an inch,” according to the weather agency.
Forecasters put the chance of a brief shower Friday at 15% to 25%, with the best chance of rain Saturday night. Rain could end Sunday afternoon, though confidence remains moderate.
Current projections call for one-third to one-half inch across most areas. The eastern San Gabriel Mountains could receive about an inch.