Newport Beach declares local emergency amid coastal flooding

NEWPORT BEACH (CNS) - The city of Newport Beach declared a local emergency today 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 National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning Friday afternoon for Orange county beaches through 3 p.m. Sunday, warning of potentially significant flooding and beach erosion as Tropical Storm Rachel approaches Southern California.

Forecasters said the greatest threat will occur Sunday morning, when increased ocean swells, strong onshore winds and high tides exceeding 7 feet could combine to produce dangerous coastal conditions.

The warning followed higher-than-normal surf and elevated ocean water levels associated with Rachel that contributed to street flooding on the Balboa Peninsula 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.The weather service warned that numerous roads and walking paths could be closed by flooding, with low-lying homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure at risk of inundation.

Shoreline erosion is also expected during morning high tides, while increased surf will create a high risk of dangerous rip currents.

A beach hazards statement will be in effect Sunday morning through Sunday evening, with surf of 5 to 7 feet and local sets reaching 9 feet, according to the weather service.

After the coastal flood warning expires at 3 p.m. Sunday, a coastal flood advisory will remain in effect until 2 p.m. Tuesday, with minor coastal flooding still expected. 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 weather service also urged motorists not to drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.

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.