Exceptionally high tides are expected along the Los Angeles and Orange County coastlines beginning Monday, potentially approaching or surpassing historical records and increasing the risk of coastal flooding, beach erosion and localized property damage.
The National Weather Service forecast morning high tides of 7.5 to 8 feet along the LA County coast. Forecasters warned that tides from Monday through Wednesday could reach record levels.
At San Pedro, the projected tides could challenge the existing record of 7.93 feet, set on Jan. 10, 2005. Tide records at the location date back to 1924.
A coastal flood warning remains in effect for the LA County OC coastlines through 1 p.m. Thursday.
The elevated tides come after recent high surf caused significant damage to homes in parts of Long Beach, Malibu and Newport Beach.
According to the weather service, tides are running approximately 1 to 1.7 feet above astronomical predictions in Orange County and about 1 to 1.5 feet above predictions in LA County.
Severe flooding and property damage could occur in areas where little or no sandy beach remains or where previous high tides have already caused damage, according to the NWS.
Minor flooding is likely in vulnerable, low-lying coastal areas, including harbor walkways, beach parking lots, bike paths and beaches that are typically covered with sand.
The high tides were also expected to disrupt coastal rail service.
Metrolink’s Orange County Line will suspend service beginning Monday between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations. Trains will begin and end their trips at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station through Friday.
Away from the coast, warm and dry conditions are expected to persist across Los Angeles and Orange counties through Monday, with mostly clear skies and generally light winds.
Onshore winds are forecast to gradually return Tuesday, bringing slightly cooler temperatures and a deeper marine layer along the coast.
Toward the end of the week, forecasters are monitoring another storm system that could reach Southern California late Thursday or Friday, potentially bringing wet and unsettled conditions through Halloween weekend.
Forecasters said they were confident that measurable rainfall will reach most, if not all of the region between Friday and the Sunday, although the storm’s timing and total rainfall are currently uncertain.
Projections of rainfall totals are from half an inch to 2 inches, but the NWS cautioned that those estimates could change as the storm system develops.
