Floodwaters inundated several blocks of the Balboa Peninsula as Newport Beach prepared for more high surf through the weekend.
Saturday, October 10, 2026 5:57PM
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) –Newport Beach closed all its beaches and pier areas Saturday after coastal flooding that inundated streets on the Balboa Peninsula, with officials warning that high surf and elevated tides could cause additional flooding through the weekend.
“Due to ongoing flooding, all city beaches and piers are closed until further notice. Stay away from these areas,” the city posted Saturday morning on X. “Flooding and hazardous conditions pose serious safety risks. Please allow emergency crews to work safely and follow all closure instructions.”
The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning Friday afternoon for Orange County beaches through at least 3 p.m. Sunday, warning of potentially significant flooding and beach erosion as Tropical Storm Rachel approaches Southern California.
Forecasters said the greatest threat will occur Sunday morning, when increased ocean swells, strong onshore winds and high tides exceeding 7 feet could combine to produce dangerous coastal conditions.
The warning followed higher-than-normal surf and elevated ocean water levels associated with Rachel that contributed to street flooding on the Balboa Peninsula on Thursday night, according to city officials.
City Manager Seimone Jurjis, acting as the city’s director of emergency services, issued the emergency declaration Friday to help Newport Beach obtain additional re
Foley said her office helped get 10,000 sandbags to the city Friday morning, and another 20,000 were delivered later. She said neighboring Costa Mesa also contributed sandbags.
City officials held a news conference Friday at 6 p.m. to discuss flooding concerns as Newport Beach declares a local emergency.
“I’ve been on the phone with the Coastal Commission to try to help get support for Beach Row residents,” Foley said. “We’ve also reached out to building trades to see if they can help with labor and equipment.”
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Orange County Public Works crews were on hand to help, and Foley said she also appealed to the governor’s office for assistance from the conservation corps or National Guard.
“We’re all hands on deck,” she said.
The city urged residents and motorists to avoid the Peninsula, where streets have been flooded, and warned that continued high surf and elevated tides could worsen conditions.
Six city crews worked Friday to rebuild protective sand berms along the shoreline, while additional teams operated pumps and opened tide valves to drain flooded streets, according to city officials. Officials said the emergency response would continue through the weekend, with crews monitoring ocean conditions and deploying additional re
City News Service contributed to this report.
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