Southern Californiacoastal cities are preparing for mega high tidal swings in the coming days that may threaten to flood streets in low-lying areas.
The tides for the region — from Los Angeles County down to San Diego — are expected to pass 6 feet starting Sunday just before 9 a.m., and while each beach up and down the coastline has slightly different tides and times, the general time and tides are when vulnerable areas are at most risk.
The National Weather Service has issued a “coastal hazard message” starting from 5 a.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Thursday, when they say significant coastal flooding could occur during high tides.
Numerous roads may be closed
“Numerous roads may be closed. Low-lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure will be inundated. Some shoreline erosion will occur in the morning hours,” the NWS warns. “Coastal residents in the warned area should be alert for rising water and take appropriate action to protect life and property. High tides each day will occur in the morning.”
On Monday, high tide around 9:18 a.m. will push up to 6.6 feet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The tides will be highest of the week on Tuesday at 9:52 a.m. at about 6.8 feet, according to charts from the Los Angeles area.
The highest tides of each day will slowly
The highest tides of each day will slowly start to swing downward for the rest of the week, at about 6.75 feet at 10:32 a.m. by Wednesday, Oct. 28, then down to 6.49 feet at 11:16 a.m. on Thursday.
While the tides are high and could send water spilling over seawalls in harbor areas, a lack of swell could, hopefully, keep ocean water from rushing up beaches and into streets. Surf is expected to be in the 2-to 3-foot range all week.
Experts say a Kelvin wave that was raising sea levels has passed through the area,but tides could still be inches or even more than a foot higher than typical due to warm-water expansion and other factors such as currents and winds.
While the upcoming tides are enough to have
While the upcoming tides are enough to have cities on alert and preparing areas like harbors with seabags, they aren’t technically considered “king tides.” King tides are related to gravitational pull and are seasonal and predictable.
King tides are expected Nov. 24-26, Dec. 23-25, and Jan. 21-22, when astronomical tides near or pass 7 feet, according to theCalifornia King Tides Project.
Cities have been preparing, with crews building up sand berms and sea walls in harbor areas with sandbags and getting pumps ready in case water flows into the streets.
If seawater does flow into streets,be careful not
If seawater does flow into streets,be careful not to start your car or drive through the saltwater, which can cause extensive damage, including to batteries and electrical systems, even after the water recedes.
“Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth,” National Weather Service officials advise.
Already-eroded beaches may see water creep up to beachfront homes, but a lack of swell and heavy surf should keep walls of waves from pounding onto houses like previous hurricane and tropical storm systems that have damaged buildings along vulnerable stretches of coast.
