A five-day advisory for coastal flooding was issued by the National Weather Service following significant street-level inundation on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The surge is expected to impact several Southern California communities, including Long Beach and Balboa Island, with tides potentially reaching 8 feet.
The $11.4 million Alamitos Bay dredging initiative faces an 8-foot test
The National Weather Service warns that incoming tides may reach between 7.5 and 8 feet, nearing or even exceeding historical records. This surge arrives at a critical juncture for local infrastructure, as the $11.4 million Alamitos Bay Dredging Project only recently commenced on October 20. According to the report, city engineers are attempting to coordinate these dredging efforts—which aim to lower the channel and improve water flow—with immediate flood response to mitigate future risks.
Flooding on Pacific Coast Highway and Seal Beach Boulevard
Street-level flooding inundated the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Harbour on Sunday morning , turning sideewalks into shallow ponds. As reported by the source, residents like Brad Ross were forced to wade through several inches of water, while Bruce Baral witnessed water crossing multiple traffic lanes on Boulevard in Seal Beach. To combat the rising water, city crews have been deploying sand berms and water pumps across the Balboa Peninsula and Long Beach, specifically setting up caution signs on Bayview Drive to alert motorists.
The immediate impact has been felt by local families and even pets, such as a chocolate labradoodle named Yogi, as water levels rose unexpectedly in residential areas. While some residents, including Bri Ayloush, expressed deep concern regarding the stability of their docks, others continued their usual Sunday routines despite the growing puddles near the Grand Canal walkway.
Will mid-week peaks overwhelm Seaside Way’s damaged homes?
The predicted tidal peaks for mid-week present a significant threat to already vulnerable residential structures. While many residents are taking precautions like moving vehicles to higher ground and clearing drains, city officials have noted that several homes along Seaside Way are already marked red or yellow for repair following previous storm surges. It remains unverified whether these compromised properties can withstand the upcoming 8-foot tides, or if the current protective measures will prove insufficient to prevent structural failure.
The struggle to protect Huntington Harbour from rising tides
Coastal communities in Southern California are increasingly caught between immediate weather events and the long-term reality of sea-level rise. The current situation, where residents must watch nervously as tides approach their property, highlights the growing urgency of coastal risk management. While some beachgoers maintained their routines, the unprecedented flooding in Seal Beach suggests that the region's vulnerability to extreme tidal surges is escalating, necessitating a more robust long-term strategy than temporary sand berms and pumps.
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