Seawater Submerges Cars, Floods Homes... What's Happening on California's Coast?

Newport Beach Roads Flooded... Long Beach Coast Also Damaged

Tropical Storm Rachel Coincides with High Tide and Rising Sea Levels

El Niño Raises Concerns About Winter Coastal Flooding

Powerful waves overtopped flood defenses along the southern California coast, inundating roads and residential neighborhoods. The risk of further damage is growing as a tropical storm, high tides and rising sea levels converge.

The Los Angeles Times (LAT), NBC Los Angeles and other outlets reported that flooding struck coastal areas across Southern California on October 9, including Newport Beach and Laguna Beach in Orange County and Long Beach in Los Angeles County.

A residential neighborhood in Long Beach flooded by surging waves. Yonhap News.

On the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, seawater overtopped sand barriers and surged onto roads. Several blocks of roads were flooded, and some vehicles were submerged or stranded and had to be towed. Seawater also entered the garages and yards of coastal homes. The City of Newport Beach declared a local emergency and began reinforcing sand barriers and operating drainage pumps. Some piers and parking lots were also closed.

In Long Beach, seawater damaged parts of a coastal seawall and promenade before flowing into nearby homes and roads. In Laguna Beach, high waves inundated beach parking lots and access roads, restricting access to some facilities.

The flooding is believed to have resulted from high waves generated by Tropical Storm Rachel coinciding with high tide and sea levels that were higher than usual. Although the storm's center was offshore, powerful swells surged toward the coast and overtopped flood defenses.

A road submerged in water in Newport Beach. Yonhap News Agency

Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggested that the combination of the storm and high tide may have increased the risk of flooding while El Niño-related Kelvin waves raised sea levels. Kelvin waves are ocean waves that travel along the ocean and coastlines and can affect sea levels. The researchers said, "This event shows the need to prepare for winter storms and high tides in the months ahead."

Weather authorities warned that high waves and further flooding could affect the Southern California coast over the weekend. Local governments responded by installing additional sandbags and inspecting drainage systems.

Climate experts are concerned that the damage cannot be attributed to powerful waves alone. When storms, high tides, rising sea levels and coastal erosion occur at the same time, existing flood defenses may not be enough to prevent damage. Experts warn that coastal flooding risks could increase this winter if powerful storms coincide with high tides, as a strong El Niño is expected.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.