Follow-Up: King Tides Peak Over the Next Three Days in Orange County, With Newport Beach Tides Forecast Up to 8.5 Feet and Three Free Sandbag Sites Open
A National Weather Service coastal flood warning remains in effect for the Orange County and San Diego County coasts in California, and King Tides will peak over the three days beginning tomorrow, October 26. The City of Newport Beach's adjusted forecasts put the highest tides at about 8.3 feet Monday morning, 8.5 feet Tuesday and 8.4 feet Wednesday, and recent ocean water levels have been running 18 to 22 inches higher than astronomical predictions, raising the flood risk for low-lying waterfront neighborhoods above the forecast values.
Newport Beach declared a local emergency on October 19 and activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate preparations. Free sandbags are available to residents at three locations: 592 Superior Ave., 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., and the East Ocean Front Parking Lot near the Balboa Pier. The City Council has also approved the West Newport Beach Sand Replenishment Project, moving roughly 100,000 cubic yards of sand from the mouth of the Santa Ana River to eroded beaches between 36th and 62nd streets to rebuild protective berms; pumps and tide valves have been positioned in flood-prone areas.
The Weather Service warns the tides could bring "significant coastal flooding" to low-lying communities. The areas at highest risk include the Balboa Peninsula, the islands inside Newport Harbor and other waterfront lowlands. On October 9, ocean water swept across Balboa Peninsula streets, with vehicles driving through water halfway up their wheels, and the city closed all beaches and declared an emergency; this round of King Tides is the first in a series of unusually high tide events expected through October, November, December and into the new year, and El Niño conditions may keep water levels elevated in the months ahead. Coastal residents should secure outdoor items, move vehicles out of low-lying spots today and tomorrow, and follow city and Weather Service updates.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Newport Beach 与 Balboa 半岛航拍（资料图）。图片来源：Don Ramey Logan／Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 4.0
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