High tides well above average levels hit Orange County’s coast this weekend, with more rain and potential surface flooding expected this week as storms roll in.
Yesterday, Seal Beach saw strong waves crashing against and over the sand berm.
Last week, city officials urged residents to take protective measures to keep their homes safe from upcoming flooding by placing sandbags around points-of-entry into houses, checking insurance policies and keeping batteries, including electric vehicles, out of water.
Residents can find sandbags at several locations around the city.
“The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods are an immediate concern, with elevated tides anticipated November 22–27 and December 22–26, 2026, and additional king tides expected into the new year,” reads an announcement posted to the city’s website.
“Exceptionally high tides can increase the risk of coastal flooding, beach erosion and impacts to low-lying areas, especially when combined with large surf, storms or elevated ocean water levels.”
The ongoing El Niño system is contributing to high tides and strong surf hitting the coast. The effects of the weather system, paired with tropical storms in the Pacific have already caused surface flooding, road and trainline closures, and red tagged homes along the OC coast.
Some cities have declared states of emergency since the first round of flooding over Labor Day weekend, including Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point.
Huntington Beach residents are also being asked to protect their properties – or face fines.
Some homes in low-lying areas received notices this week, listing safety measures that must be completed within three days of the notice.
These include keeping drains and emergency routes clear, and placing sandbags, with some homes being recommended to build a two-foot tall perimeter.
City officials will be checking properties for compliance, stating that fines and enforcement will take place if not.
“The City may inspect the property after the deadline. If required work is not completed, enforcement, fines, administrative costs, or City-performed emergency mitigation and recovery of authorized costs may follow,” the city wrote in an Instagram post last week.
Cities continue bracing for what experts say will be an intense El Niño season, anticipating a nearly 80% chance of a historic event occurring between January and March next year.
