Exceptionally high tides surged onto the Southern California coast Tuesday, flooding waterfront areas and forcing closures along portions of Pacific Coast Highway.
The threat is expected to persist through Thursday. Forecasters say elevated morning tides could trigger additional flooding in low-lying beach communities.
In Orange County, Caltrans shut down both directions of PCH between Warner Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard Tuesday morning. Northbound traffic was also blocked between Seapoint Street and Warner Avenue.
Even as the tide pulled back, water continued flowing across the highway, prompting a broader closure of PCH in both directions between Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.
Newport Beach officials prepared for further flooding by turning on pumps and reinforcing vulnerable areas with sand berms, especially around the Balboa Peninsula.
To keep boat wakes from pushing additional water into nearby homes and businesses, officials closed the channel beneath the Newport Boulevard Bridge from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday during the morning high tide.
According to forecasters, the tide peaked at a record 8.4 feet at 10 a.m.
Boaters in Newport Harbor were advised to reduce their speed and use extra caution near low-lying waterfront neighborhoods. The channel beneath the bridge is scheduled to close again Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m.
The latest flooding follows a stretch of unusually high tides approaching historic marks across the Southland coastline.
A tide gauge in San Pedro registered 8.02 feet Monday, surpassing the previous record of 7.93 feet recorded on Jan. 10, 2005, the National Weather Service said. The gauge’s records extend back to November 1923.
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The National Weather Service warned that tides may stay close to record levels through Wednesday.
Newport Beach has paused parking enforcement through Wednesday evening, allowing residents more time to relocate vehicles from areas vulnerable to flooding.
A coastal flood warning for the Orange County shoreline was in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday. A coastal flood advisory covered the Los Angeles County coast for the same period.
In Orange County, tides were running approximately 1 to 1.7 feet higher than astronomical forecasts. Along the Los Angeles County shoreline, levels were about 1 to 1.5 feet above predictions.
The National Weather Service cautioned that the greatest flooding and damage risks remain in locations with little or no protective sand, as well as areas already affected by earlier high tides.
The coastal flooding has also affected rail travel. Metrolink suspended Orange County Line service Monday between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside, with trains starting and ending at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo through Friday.
Inland areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties should remain dry and mild through at least Friday, although temperatures are expected to ease downward as clouds gradually build.
Rain is possible this weekend, but computer forecast models have continued to show a weaker potential storm system.
“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,” the weather agency said.
The odds of a brief shower Friday range from 15% to 25%, while Saturday night currently appears to offer the best chance for rain. Showers may fade by Sunday afternoon, though forecasters say confidence in the exact timing remains moderate.
Current projections call for roughly one-third to one-half inch of rain across most areas, with the eastern San Gabriel Mountains potentially receiving around an inch.
