Dear Community Members,
What a week it’s been here in the City of Newport Beach. After several days of exceptionally high King Tides, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we experienced, thank everyone who helped protect our community and share why our preparations are far from over.
On Tuesday, October 27, we recorded a high tide of 8.4 feet, the highest in the City’s recorded history, with records dating back to the 1920s. While we experienced flooding in several low-lying areas, I’m grateful that the impacts weren’t as severe as they could have been. A big part of that is thanks to our residents, who took the warnings seriously, placed thousands of sandbags, installed temporary flood barriers and worked alongside our City teams to protect their homes, businesses and neighborhoods.
I can’t emphasize enough how much that preparation mattered. Protecting our community is a shared responsibility, and this week was a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together.
But I also want to be clear that we’re not through this yet. In fact, some of the highest tides may still be ahead of us.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), another round of King Tides are expected around Thanksgiving, November 23 through 27, with additional King Tides in December and in January. Based on current ocean conditions, we could potentially see water levels rise another 6 to 12 inches higher than Tuesday’s record of 8.4 feet, potentially pushing water levels above 9 feet.
You may be wondering why we’re seeing such unusually high water levels.
Several factors can come together to raise coastal water levels. Warmer ocean water expands, while changes in winds and ocean circulation can raise sea levels along our coast. At the same time, the gravitational pull of the moon and sun is creating exceptionally high tides (known as King Tides). When all these conditions overlap, water levels go up and the potential for coastal flooding increases significantly.
That’s why we’re asking residents in low-lying and waterfront areas to keep their sandbags and temporary flood barriers in place. Do not remove them. Please continue inspecting your seawalls, reinforcing vulnerable areas and adding sandbags where needed. With more King Tide events on the way, the steps you take now can make a real difference in the coming weeks and months.
Free, prefilled sandbags are available, while supplies last, at the following locations:
- City Corporation Yard – 592 Superior Ave.
- Marina Park – 1600 W. Balboa Blvd.
With rain also expected this weekend, I want to remind everyone to please stay off the protective sand berms along our beaches. Walking or climbing on them can weaken these important barriers, which we’ll continue relying on in the months ahead.
I also want to recognize our incredible City staff, contractors and volunteers, who have worked tirelessly around the clock throughout this event. Over the past week alone, our teams distributed more than 50,000 sandbags. Even more impressive, our dedicated staff and volunteers filled 16,000 of those bags by hand.
From reinforcing protective sand berms and operating pumps to monitoring water levels and responding to flooding, our teams have been out there day and night doing everything they can to protect our community. I’m incredibly grateful for their hard work, and equally thankful to the residents and businesses who took the time to prepare their properties and help their neighbors.
Even as this week’s King Tides have passed, that work continues. We’re already looking ahead to November, evaluating our flood protection measures, maintaining equipment and preparing for what could be even more challenging conditions.
For the latest updates, sandbag locations and additional flood preparation resources, please visit NewportBeachCA.gov/ElNino.
This week also marked National First Responders Day, and I want to close by recognizing the men and women of our Fire Department, Police Department and Lifeguard Division. They answer the call when our community needs them most, often putting others' safety ahead of their own. Their dedication, professionalism and commitment to serving our residents and visitors deserve our appreciation every day, not just on a national day of recognition.
To our first responders, City crews, contractors and residents who stepped up this week, thank you. I’m proud of the way our community came together, and I know that same spirit will carry us through the challenges ahead.
Warmly,
Seimone Jurjis
City Manager
sjurjis@newportbeachca.gov
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