Southern Californians woke up Sunday to rainfall and significant coastal impacts from Hurricane Marie, which, while remaining well offshore, sent a considerable southerly swell and moisture our way. Flooding was reported in parking lots at Seal Beach and Zuma Beach, and the National Weather Service noted that water was “flowing into homes and streets” in Long Beach.
The rain, which was expected to continue intermittently through Sunday, prompted a flood advisory for West Central Los Angeles County, including areas around the Franklin and Palisades burn scars, until at least 1 p.m. Sunday.
Adding to the wet forecast, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an ocean water quality rain advisory for all Los Angeles County beaches. This advisory, in effect until at least 2 p.m. Wednesday, cautions beachgoers to avoid contact with ocean water for at least 72 hours after rainfall due to potential runoff contamination.
The main event from Marie, however, appears to be the ocean conditions. A high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory are in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday for portions of the Los Angeles and Orange County coasts. Large breaking waves are expected, reaching 6 to 10 feet for south and southwestern-facing beaches, and 4 to 7 feet for west-facing beaches. Forecasters also warned of strong and dangerous rip and longshore currents, urging inexperienced swimmers to stay out of the water, especially with large crowds anticipated for the Labor Day holiday.
Minor coastal flooding is also a concern, particularly along vulnerable south-facing shores, due to a combination of high surf and high astronomical tides. Avalon, Long Beach’s Alamitos Peninsula, and Malibu were highlighted as areas of greatest concern. High tides are expected to increase through early next week, potentially exceeding 7 feet by Monday, and combined with the south swell, will create a moderate risk of coastal flooding in some locations.
While Marie is forecast to track northwest and remain well off the California coast, its lingering moisture will increase humidity and cloud cover across the region through the weekend. Overnight temperatures along southern coastal areas and coastal valleys could stay in the 70s where clouds persist. Forecasters also cautioned that roads might become especially slick with any rain due to the accumulation of oils during the long, dry summer months.
There's also a slight chance, between 5% to 15%, of thunderstorms, primarily in the Los Angeles County mountains and urban areas. The weather service noted that any stalled or repeatedly developing storms in these areas could drop more than a quarter-inch of rain in an hour.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that her office is coordinating with the Emergency Management Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Public Works, and other city departments to ensure readiness for any necessary response. After Marie's influence moves on, Southern California is bracing for a heat wave, with temperatures expected to climb into the 90s in many areas starting Monday, peaking Tuesday through Thursday with triple-digit highs in warmer regions, before returning to more typical levels next weekend.
