Southern California Coastal Areas Battle Record High Tides and Floods

Record high tides are putting Southern California coastal communities at risk as seawater floods streets and threatens homes and businesses. San Pedro recorded its highest tide on record Monday, October 26, while Newport Beach prepared for another round of flooding. Here are the affected areas and the latest risks.

Record high tides flood Southern California

Quick Takeaway

• Record tide in San Pedro: Water levels reached 8.02 feet on October 26, surpassing the previous record of 7.93 feet set in 2005.

• Coastal flooding: Newport Beach reported flooded streets, while other Southern California communities faced risks to low-lying areas and waterfront properties.

• Ongoing concerns: Elevated sea levels could increase coastal flooding and beach erosion through Thursday, October 29.

San Pedro Records Its Highest Tide in More Than a Century

Southern California faced widespread coastal flooding on Monday, October 26, 2026, as exceptionally high tides pushed seawater into low-lying neighborhoods. 

A preliminary reading at the San Pedro tide gauge reached 8.02 feet, breaking the previous record of 7.93 feet set on January 10, 2005, according to the National Weather Service.

In Newport Beach, the tide reached 8.3 feet, flooding streets and parts of the Balboa Peninsula. 

Forecasters expected water levels to rise to 8.5 feet on Tuesday, increasing concerns about further damage.

Local authorities activated pumps, reinforced sand barriers and distributed sandbags to protect vulnerable properties. 

Parking enforcement was also suspended temporarily to help residents move vehicles away from flood-prone areas.

The high water disrupted transportation as well. Metrolink suspended service between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside on its Orange County Line, with trains turning back at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo.

San Pedro records its new highest tide (Photo: Justin Sullivan)

Check Radar Maps for relevant radar indicators to monitor local weather and stay prepared for changing conditions along the Newport Beach coast.

Coastal Flooding Threatens Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego Counties

Orange and San Diego counties face significant coastal flooding risks, with a coastal flood warning in effect through 1 p.m. Thursday, October 29.

Los Angeles and Ventura counties are also under a coastal flood advisory. The NWS warned that seawater could reach homes, businesses and critical infrastructure in low-lying areas. 

Beach parking lots, harbor walkways, bike paths and exposed stretches of coastline are also vulnerable. 

Locations with little remaining beach sand or previous flood damage could experience more serious impacts.

In Newport Beach, city officials reinforced protective barriers and prepared additional flood-control measures. 

Recent high surf has already damaged coastal properties in parts of Long Beach, Malibu and Newport Beach, leaving some areas more exposed to further erosion and flooding.

Residents should move vehicles to higher ground, use sandbags where necessary and avoid driving through floodwater or around road barricades. 

The unusually high tides are being amplified by ocean levels that have risen above normal astronomical predictions. 

The NWS reported water levels approximately 1 to 1.7 feet above predictions in Orange County and 1 to 1.5 feet above predictions along the Los Angeles County coast. 

El Niño-related conditions and a Kelvin wave have also been cited as contributing factors. 

With elevated tides expected to continue through Thursday, coastal flooding and beach erosion remain major concerns. 

Residents should monitor official alerts and take precautions before the next high tide.

References

1. USA Today

2. LA Times

3. LAmag

4. MyNewsLA