King Tides Cause Minor Flooding with More on the Way

The first of four days of above-average tide levels began hitting the Southern California coast today, raising the possibility of coastal flooding.

Orange County’s Seal and Sunset beaches are considered the most susceptible to localized flooding, the NWS said. Residents in Sunset Beach already woke up to minor flooding along Pacific Coast Highway Tuesday.

A coastal flooding advisory will be in effect in those areas until Friday morning. Seal Beach Marine Safety Officer Nick Bolin said sand bags are available at fire houses and lifeguard stations throughout the city if residents wanted to take extra precautions.

The National Weather Service forecast that the so-called King Tides, the highest astronomical tides of the year, will be seen in the hours just after dawn until at least Friday.

The highest level of the week will be Wednesday, the NWS said, with a level of 7.6 feet at 7:51 a.m., followed by 7.5 feet on Thursday at 8:31 a.m., and 7.3 feet at 9:12 a.m. Friday.

A similar advisory is also in effect in Los Angeles County, with forecasters saying minor flooding is possible during the morning high tide in areas such as Long Beach, Playa del Rey, Venice and Malibu.

The NWS warned that beach parking lots and nearby streets and structures could be left briefly under water, while stronger rip currents would be present off-shore.

Affected areas were likely to face more severe issues Wednesday, with on- shore winds and three- to four-foot surf compounding the impact of the higher tide, according to the NWS.

City News Service; Photo: Patch Archive