Newport Beach Faces Flood Risk as High Surf Pounds Coast

High surf will pound the Los Angeles and Orange county coastlines for around 30 hours starting tonight, creating perilous conditions for swimmers, National Weather Service forecasters said.

The high surf resulting from a long-period swell will begin striking the Central Coast this afternoon, according to the NWS. By late this evening, surf of between 5 and 7 feet is expected in the Southland, rising to between 7 and 10 feet by Tuesday morning, then persisting through late Tuesday night, forecasters said.

A serious beach hazards statement will be in force in Orange County, where forecasters expect surf of 7 to 10 feet with sets of up to 12 feet, from late tonight through Tuesday evening.

“High surf may cause minor beach erosion on exposed west-facing shores,” an NWS statement said. “The large waves and strong currents will create a risk of ocean drowning. Sneaker waves can suddenly overrun previously dry beaches and jetties. Minor flooding of low-lying beach parking lots, harbor walkways, and campgrounds will be possible.”

In Orange County, the highest surf will be north of Newport Beach, according to the NWS, which said Seal Beach and Sunset Beach could experience minor coastal flooding.

The NWS urged beachgoers to always swim near lifeguards and, if caught in a rip current, to swim parallel to shore until free of it

In Los Angeles County, the biggest surf is expected on west-facing beaches, from Palos Verdes to Santa Monica, and from Point Dume to Zuma Beach, the statement said. The risk of coastal flooding will be highest at high tide, which is forecast to be around six feet at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

NWS forecasters said the high surf could persist though Wednesday or Thursday because of an expected additional westerly swell.

The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies today and highs of 62 in Laguna Beach; 63 in Avalon, San Clemente and Newport Beach; 65 in Long Beach, Woodland Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Yorba Linda and at LAX.

Similar temperatures are expected Tuesday -- under sunny skies this time -- but a drop of 4-5 degrees is expected Wednesday, along with rain. Then, between Thursday and Sunday, cloudy skies are in the forecast, along with highs from the low to mid 60s.

City News Service