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Dear Community Members,
As we head into the weekend, I want to make everyone aware of the exceptionally high King Tides expected October 26–28. I know the possibility of flooding is concerning, but I want you to know that our City teams have been working tirelessly to prepare.
One of our biggest challenges is that ocean water levels have been running approximately 15 to 22 inches higher than predicted, influenced by ocean conditions such as El Niño and the Kelvin wave. A foot and a half may not sound like much, but in a coastal community like ours, it can mean the difference between water staying below a seawall and water spilling into streets, garages and homes, especially during some of the highest tides of the year.
That’s why we’ve been taking every opportunity to prepare.
Earlier this week, the City Council declared a local emergency and we activated our Emergency Operations Center (EOC), allowing us to coordinate efforts and bring in additional resources, including pumps, sandbags, heavy equipment, and contractors, as needed.
If you’ve spent time along the coast recently, you’ve likely seen our crews building and reinforcing protective sand berms, bringing in additional sand, and placing thousands of sandbags throughout the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, and low-lying areas like the Finley and Marcus tracts. Our Utilities Department team has also been preparing pumping locations and tide valves to help manage potential flooding. Meanwhile, our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers have been going door to door in low-lying neighborhoods, including homes with private seawalls, to share information and help residents prepare.
While the City is doing everything we can to protect our streets, public spaces, and infrastructure, we can’t do it alone. If you live in a low-lying or waterfront area, please take time this weekend to inspect your seawalls, identify vulnerable areas around your home, and place sandbags where needed. Even if your property has never experienced flooding, the unusually elevated water levels make this a good time to take precautions. If needed, do not hesitate to ask your neighbor for help or consider hiring someone to install sandbags.
To help, we’re providing free, prefilled sandbags at the Corporation Yard (592 Superior Ave.), Marina Park (1600 W. Balboa Blvd.), and Temporary Fire Station No. 1 (East Ocean Front Parking Lot near Balboa Pier). Empty sandbags are also available at Newport Beach fire stations and Lifeguard Headquarters, while supplies last.
For additional information about preparing your property, available resources, and the latest updates, I encourage you to visit the City’s El Niño preparedness website at NewportBeachCA.gov/ElNino.
I also want to ask for everyone’s help with something that may seem small but is incredibly important. Please stay off the protective sand berms. Walking or climbing on them can weaken these barriers and create low points where water can break through. To maintain beach access this weekend, designated public access points will be available at Corona del Mar State Beach and along the Balboa Peninsula at 24th Street, near the Ocean Front Parking Lot, near Lifeguard Headquarters, and at Adams Street and B Street. Please use these access points and give our crews room to work.
This week, the City also installed 10 new drone docks throughout Newport Beach. While these drones are part of our Drone as First Responder program, they’ll also help during events like the upcoming King Tides by providing an aerial view of changing conditions and helping our teams identify where resources are needed most.
I want to thank our City employees, contractors, public safety personnel, and CERT volunteers who have dedicated so much time and effort to preparing our community. I also appreciate our residents' patience and cooperation as this important work continues.
We’ll continue monitoring conditions, adjusting our preparations as needed, and keeping you informed.
Warmly,
Seimone Jurjis
City Manager
sjurjis@newportbeachca.gov
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The San Miguel Drive Pavement Rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 26, with completion anticipated by Friday, October 30. Paving on San Miguel Drive will span between San Joaquin Hills Road and Ford Road. Please refer to the location map below which shows the limits of the work.
Daily operations will be limited to daytime hours, between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. While lane closures will be necessary during active working hours, at least one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction at all times to ensure continuous traffic flow.
Immediately following completion of the paving, additional work such as new signs, striping, utility adjustments, and the installation of traffic signal detector loops will be done. Please be aware that traffic signals may be put on set timers until detector loops are reinstalled. During construction, please maintain awareness, exercise caution, and strictly adhere to all temporary traffic control signage and personnel instructions. The additional work is anticipated to be complete by December.
Did You Know?
- The asphalt removed during road maintenance is 100% recyclable. In fact, asphalt is the most recycled material in the United States.
- Smoother roads reduce tire rolling resistance, which can improve your vehicle's fuel economy and minimize long-term wear and tear on your suspension.
We appreciate your continued patience, cooperation and support as we invest in improving infrastructure networks for our community.
 
Newport Notified is the City of Newport Beach's official notification system designed to keep our community connected and informed. Subscribers receive traffic advisories, crime alerts, and emergency notifications directly from the Police Department. This is the best way to get real-time information from a reliable source when it counts.
Stay notified by signing up here.
For more information about the Newport Notified system, you can visit https://www.nbpd.org/what-s-new/newport-notified.
The City is offering expedited permitting to help Newport Beach residents repair homes damaged by Tropical Storm Rachel. The Coastal Flood Recovery Single-Family Express Permit provides same-day online permitting without plans, helping homeowners begin flood repairs without waiting.
For duplexes and multifamily properties, City inspectors and building engineers will review existing plans and conduct a site visit to verify construction, including required fire-rated assemblies. Expedited in-person permitting is available to support these repairs.
For more information visit: https://www.newportbeachca.gov/floodrecovery
 The City’s new open-air trolley welcomed community members aboard during Corona del Mar’s 3rd Thursdays event on October 15. Visitors were invited to explore the vehicle, take photos, and speak with Eric Loke, senior civil engineer, about the Balboa Peninsula Trolley and the City’s growing summer trolley program. City staff provided information on the existing Peninsula service and the planned expansion to Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, Fashion Island, and Newport Dunes.
The evening provided an opportunity to connect with the community and share a preview of next summer’s expanded service, which will offer residents and visitors more convenient ways to travel throughout Newport Beach.
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 The Newport Beach Fire Department is showing its support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the return of its annual Pinktober T-shirt campaign. Throughout October, Newport Beach fire crews will wear specially designed Pinktober shirts while on duty to help raise awareness for breast cancer and show support for survivors, patients, families and all those impacted by the disease.
By wearing pink throughout the month, Newport Beach firefighters hope to do more than simply change the color of their uniform. The campaign provides an opportunity to start conversations, increase awareness, and bring the community together in support of an important cause. Members of the community can join the effort by purchasing a Pinktober T-shirt for $20, with all proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen and its work supporting breast cancer research, advocacy, education and patient services.
Pinktober shirts are available for purchase at Newport Beach Fire Station 7, located at 20401 SW Acacia Street.
The Newport Beach Fire Department encourages residents to stop by Station 7, pick up a shirt, and help turn Newport Beach pink this October.
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All kids Pre-K through 12th grade are invited to participate in the 2026 Student Art Exhibition in celebration of Newport Beach’s 120th birthday. Young artists may submit one original work of art from October 1 through November 30. Show us what makes Newport Beach special to you in a painting, drawing or collage.
For more details on how to participate, categories and prizes, visit the City’s website or call 949-717-3802. Artwork will be displayed at the Central Library located at 1000 Avocado Avenue from January 4 to February 24, 2027. Winners will be invited to attend an award ceremony in early February 2027.
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The Recreation & Senior Services team is brewing up a scary good time at the 9th Annual Halloween Spooktacular!
Bring the whole family to Mariners Park on Saturday, October 24, from 3–6 p.m. for an afternoon packed with festive favorites. Enjoy trunk-or-treating, a haunted walkthrough, carnival games, bounce houses, and costume contests. Library Services will also host a Spooky Seek-n-Find activity and the City Arts Commission will offer pumpkin decorating while supplies last.
Entry is free, with food available for purchase. Grab your costumes and join us for some Halloween fun!
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