Newport Beach Closes All Beaches and Piers as Orange County Coastal Flood Warning Extends Into Sunday
The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning for Orange County beaches through 3 p.m. Sunday, cautioning that elevated ocean levels, strong onshore winds and building swells could cause significant flooding and beach erosion. The city of Newport Beach shut down all its beaches and piers on Saturday and urged the public to stay out of the water.
The most dangerous conditions are expected around high tide, when tides exceeding 7 feet could combine with powerful surf to inundate low-lying neighborhoods, roads and businesses. Waves are forecast to reach 5 to 7 feet, with sets as high as 9 feet possible, and seawater may breach boardwalks and back up into low-lying streets.
Newport Beach deployed crews to rebuild sand berms, operate pumps and open tidal valves to drain flooded streets. Officials are urging residents to move vehicles to higher ground, protect properties with sandbags, and never drive around barricades or attempt to cross flooded roads.
The coastal flooding is linked to long-period swells generated by Tropical Storm Rachel off Baja California. Although the storm's center is expected to make landfall in northern Baja and not strike the California coast directly, the swell energy will travel far north and combine with high tides to produce elevated water levels. San Diego County lifeguards have advised swimmers to stay out of the water at south-facing breaks.
The NWS San Diego office said surf and tide conditions should peak Sunday morning and gradually ease as the storm weakens. Coastal residents and visitors should avoid beaches and piers until warnings are lifted and follow guidance from local lifeguards and emergency officials.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：纽波特海滩巴尔博亚码头（Balboa Pier）与半岛海岸航拍（资料图）。摄影：Don Ramey Logan，CC BY 4.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
