Newport Beach Declares Local Emergency Ahead of Oct. 26-28 King Tides; Free Sandbags at Three Locations

Newport Beach, a coastal city in Orange County, California, has declared a local emergency ahead of exceptionally high King Tides expected from October 26 to 28. The City Council made the declaration on the evening of October 19, and the city has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate flood-prevention preparations, monitor conditions and deploy resources across departments; the declaration also helps the city access additional resources for flood prevention and response.

City officials said low-lying neighborhoods along the Balboa Peninsula, the islands in Newport Harbor and other waterfront areas are particularly prone to flooding. Recent ocean water levels have been running approximately 18 to 22 inches above predicted astronomical tides; if those conditions continue during the King Tides, actual water levels could be significantly higher than forecast, increasing the potential for flooding. The upcoming King Tides are the first in a series of unusually high tide events anticipated in October, November, December and into the new year, and El Niño conditions could further contribute to elevated ocean water levels in the months ahead.

The City Council also approved a contract for the West Newport Beach Sand Replenishment Project, which will move approximately 100,000 cubic yards of sand from the mouth of the Santa Ana River to eroded beach areas between 36th and 62nd Streets, with work expected to begin later this week. City crews are also reinforcing protective beach berms, inspecting stormwater infrastructure, preparing tide valves and pumping systems, and positioning sandbags, equipment and personnel in flood-prone areas.

To help residents prepare, the city is providing free, prefilled sandbags at three locations: the Corporation Yard at 592 Superior Ave.; Marina Park at 1600 W. Balboa Blvd.; and Temporary Fire Station No. 1 at the East Ocean Front Parking Lot near Balboa Pier. Empty sandbags are also available at Lifeguard Headquarters and any Newport Beach fire stations, while supplies last. The city urged waterfront property owners and residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions now — placing sandbags along vulnerable openings, inspecting private flood protections, clearing drains, and moving vehicles away from flood-prone streets. The city will continue coordinating flood protection and response throughout the high tides, and may implement temporary street closures and parking restrictions as conditions warrant. Tide forecasts and preparedness information are available on the city's El Niño page at NewportBeachCA.gov/ElNino.

Source: GSM·USA

Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: Newport Beach 的 Balboa 半岛（资料图）。 Photo: Don Ramey Logan via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Latest in California

San Diego's Homelessness Response Resources Nearly Double in Seven Years, From 5,924 to 11,5722026-10-31Tijuana River Valley Health Study Seeks Researchers: Up to $250,000 to Examine Disease Rates in Border Communities2026-10-31