The National Weather Service on Monday extended warnings of dangerous coastal conditions for beaches in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Ocean monitors pushed the warnings to late Wednesday for LA and Friday for Orange County.
Hazardous rip currents and breaking waves resulting from elevated surf of 3 to 6 feet on south-facing LA County beaches was expected, in addition to “high astronomical tides” reaching 7.5 to 7.9 feet Monday between 8 and 11 p.m. in LA County, the National Weather Service reported.
“There is an increased risk of ocean drowning,” according to the NWS. “Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore. Minor coastal flooding is possible in low-lying areas near the times of high tides.”
Beachgoers were advised to keep out of the water or stay close to occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly under such conditions, so the public was also advised to stay off of rocks.
In Orange County, a warning of beach dangers was in effect through Friday evening. King tides were expected to affect the county’s coastline, bringing the possibility of floods in low-lying places.
Areas most at risk for flooding were Newport Island, Balboa Island, Finley Tract, Lido Village, Balboa Village, LaFayette Avenue, the Peninsula and parts of the Marcus River and Lake Avenue area, Newport Beach officials said last week.
“Residents with properties adjacent to Newport Harbor should take precautions, including installing seawall plugs and placing sandbags in vulnerable areas,” according to the city.
Street “ponding” was expected, and Newport Beach officials advised motorists to drive slowly on flooded roads to avoid creating wakes that can worsen the impact to adjacent properties.
Drivers should also avoid parking in low-lying areas, officials said.
“City crews are installing flood-protection gap boards on Balboa Island and will deploy throughout the king tide event to operate pumps, place sandbags, install flood-protection measures and post traffic-control signs where needed,” according to the Newport Beach statement.
Residents can pick up pre-filled sandbags at the City Corporation Yard, 592 Superior Ave. Sandbags were also available for filling at all Newport Beach fire stations.
More information on coastal conditions in Newport Beach is available from 949-644-3055.
On Thursday, authorities made the tragic confirmation that a 5-year-old girl drowned after being swept into the ocean off Laguna Beach while walking along the shore with her mother and brother. The U.S. Coast Guard stopped searching for the girl Wednesday night after more than 30 hours in an area over 90 square miles.
King tides are usually the highest tides of the year and result from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun during full and new moons.
