San Clemente City Council members last night unanimously approved declaring a local state of emergency, authorizing up to $1 million for emergency actions to protect the city’s coastline. The measures include placing sand on North Beach and installing berms to safeguard city structures like coastal bathrooms, following recent high tide damage across Orange County’s beaches and in preparation for a "very strong" El Niño predicted for this winter.
The emergency declaration helps San Clemente secure mutual aid from state agencies and accelerates actions to address coastal erosion. The move comes after Orange County’s coastline experienced some impacts from Hurricane Marie over Labor Day weekend, which caused pieces of shoreline and cliffsides to be swept into the waves.
Damage observed from recent storms and high tides includes issues at the San Clemente pier, where a pylon and 17 braces were lost. The pier also experienced flooding and damage to private property. According to the staff report for last night’s City Council discussion, repairs to the pier alone could cost approximately $300,000.
Councilmember Victor Cabral, who proposed the emergency sand placement, emphasized the need to protect residents. City Manager Andy Hall noted the importance of preparing berming around vulnerable structures, specifically mentioning the restrooms at North Beach and closely monitoring lifeguard headquarters.
The National Weather Service has announced that this year’s El Niño has a 90% chance of bringing a "very strong" weather event, signaling likely stronger storms this winter. The staff report warns that if El Niño conditions persist, San Clemente’s already-eroding beaches could face further deterioration. Councilmember Mark Enmeier highlighted the city's proactive stance, stating, "The unique thing about this is that we can see the emergency coming."
San Clemente's vote follows similar actions by neighboring coastal cities. Laguna Beach and Dana Point declared their own local emergencies last week. In Laguna Beach, six homes were yellow-tagged, indicating restricted entry, due to damage to sea walls. Dana Point saw nine homes red-tagged, meaning they were deemed unsafe to inhabit, and seven yellow-tagged after high swells damaged properties.
City Manager Hall explained that winter storms typically come from the north, increasing the risk of significant beach erosion, making preparedness crucial. Councilmember Cabral acknowledged that the current measures are not a permanent solution but represent a vital short-term opportunity to help residents and save homes. The City Council's emergency proclamation also included a request for the Orange County Board of Supervisors to proclaim an emergency at the county level, further aiding in regional response to the ongoing coastal erosion challenge that has dwindled the coastline over decades.
