The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning for Orange County beaches, including San Clemente, through 3 p.m. Sunday, as forecasters predict dangerous surf and unusually high tides could cause damaging coastal flooding and significant beach erosion. The greatest threat is expected Sunday morning when large waves, strong winds, and elevated tides are anticipated to combine. This comes as Southern California transitions from a prolonged heat wave to cooler temperatures and several days of rain associated with Tropical Storm Rachel.
Surf of 5 to 7 feet, with occasional sets reaching 9 feet, is expected Sunday along Orange County beaches. High tides exceeding 7 feet could merge with increased swells and onshore winds, exacerbating the flood risk, according to the Weather Service. Following the warning, a coastal flood advisory for Orange County beaches will take effect at 3 p.m. Sunday and remain in place until 2 p.m. Tuesday, signaling continued hazardous conditions. Forecasters warned that coastal flooding on Sunday could be substantially worse if high tides, strong winds, and large waves peak simultaneously. The Weather Service noted that Sunday presents the widest range of coastal flooding outcomes due to the combined chances of rain, wind, low-pressure tidal enhancements, and swells arriving from multiple directions.
Moisture drawn northward by a low-pressure system linked to Tropical Storm Rachel, which is expected to track well south of Los Angeles County, will bring periods of light to moderate rain starting as early as Saturday evening. The highest chances of rain are expected early Sunday morning through the afternoon, with additional showers possible Sunday night and Monday as a second, colder low-pressure system moves into California. Rainfall totals from these two systems are predicted to range from a quarter-inch to 1 inch across the region. The Weather Service stated that while widespread freshwater flooding is not anticipated, some minor roadway flooding is possible. However, the agency emphasized that the more significant impacts are likely to come from coastal flooding, especially for south-facing beaches. Temperatures are expected to continue falling Saturday, bringing relief from the earlier heat wave, and will remain cool through the weekend and into early next week, with the second low-pressure system bringing some of the coolest temperatures the region has experienced in recent weeks.
The Weather Service urges beachgoers to remain out of the water due to dangerous rip currents and high surf. Motorists are advised not to drive through flooded roads or around barricades for their safety and the safety of emergency responders. Winds over coastal waters are also expected to increase Saturday and Sunday, potentially reaching levels hazardous to smaller vessels and generating steep, choppy seas. While showers could linger into Tuesday, forecasters predict the weather will begin drying out on Wednesday, followed by a rapid warming trend by Thursday and Friday, potentially accompanied by weak to moderate Santa Ana winds.
Other coastal areas have already experienced significant impacts. In Long Beach, waves battered homes and a boardwalk along the Alamitos Peninsula on Friday, with city officials reporting two red-tagged structures and three yellow-tagged buildings. Crews were assessing damage, and officials reported distributing 7,600 sandbags ahead of the latest storm. Similarly, Newport Beach declared a local emergency on Friday after high surf and elevated tides flooded streets on the Balboa Peninsula. City crews there were actively rebuilding protective sand berms, operating pumps, and opening tide valves to drain flooded areas, with officials urging motorists to avoid the peninsula entirely. These incidents underscore the potential for significant damage along vulnerable coastal areas during this period of extreme weather.
