Newport Beach declared a local emergency Friday in response to coastal flooding that inundated streets on the Balboa Peninsula. City officials cautioned that continued high surf and elevated tides could worsen conditions through the weekend, urging residents and motorists to avoid the affected area.
The declaration, issued by City Manager Seimone Jurjis in his role as the city’s director of emergency services, was made to help Newport Beach secure additional resources needed to protect both public and private property. This decision followed a night of significant street flooding on Thursday, which city officials attributed to higher-than-normal surf and elevated ocean water levels associated with Tropical Storm Rachel.
Responding to the conditions, six city crews were actively working Friday to rebuild protective sand berms along the shoreline. Additional teams were deployed to operate pumps and open tide valves, essential infrastructure for draining the flooded streets. Officials confirmed that this emergency response would continue through the weekend, with crews closely monitoring ocean conditions and prepared to deploy more resources as required.
As the situation develops, temporary street closures and parking restrictions may be implemented if conditions deteriorate. The extent of damage from the initial flooding was not immediately known, but officials stressed that flood mitigation efforts cannot eliminate all risks.
The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory for Orange County beaches, which is set to remain in effect until 2 p.m. Tuesday. This advisory warns of potential flooding in low-lying coastal areas during periods of high tide. Forecasters anticipate tides could reach between 6.5 to 7 feet during morning and evening high tide cycles. Furthermore, additional south swells are expected to bring another round of elevated surf from Sunday through Tuesday, with Sunday projected to see the highest surf. On Friday, surf of 3 to 5 feet, with occasional sets reaching 6 feet, was forecast, alongside dangerous rip currents.
The weather service indicated that coastal flooding could impact beach parking lots, boardwalks, and local roads, with the possibility of isolated road closures and minor beach erosion. Beachgoers were advised to exercise extreme caution near the ocean, where the elevated surf, rip currents, and rapidly changing conditions could pose significant hazards for swimmers, surfers, and boaters.
Residents in waterfront and flood-prone neighborhoods were encouraged to take proactive measures to protect their properties. This includes using sandbags or temporary barriers, clearing debris from gutters and drainage areas when safe to do so, and moving vehicles away from areas susceptible to flooding. City officials particularly identified the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, Newport Island, and other low-lying harborfront neighborhoods as especially vulnerable to flooding during unusually high tides.
To assist residents, Newport Beach is providing free, prefilled sandbags at its Corporation Yard, located at 592 Superior Ave. Empty sandbags are also available at Newport Beach fire stations, subject to supply. Lifeguards on the Balboa Peninsula carry sandbags in their vehicles for immediate distribution. The city maintains a comprehensive network of 86 tidal valves designed to prevent rising ocean water from backing up through storm drains, in addition to 18 pumps used to remove standing water from streets near the harbor.
Residents were urged to monitor official city communications for updates and to register for Newport Notified emergency alerts through NBPD.org. For additional information regarding sandbags and flood protection, residents can contact the city’s Municipal Operations Department at 949-644-3055.
