San Clemente residents and commuters saw train services resume this week after track damage caused by high surf from the outskirts of Hurricane Marie over Labor Day Weekend. The restoration impacts those who rely on Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink for travel along the South Orange County coast.
According to a news release by the OC Transportation Authority, the Pacific Surfliner service resumed its normal path on Monday. Metrolink services also restarted on Monday. Earlier expectations had suggested Metrolink might remain closed until Tuesday due to concerns of “wave-related impacts to the signal system,” as stated in an earlier news release.
The rail line segment running from the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station to the Oceanside station in San Diego County had been closed since September 6. Crews worked to repair the damaged sections of the line through Sunday. Last week, passengers traveling between Irvine and Oceanside were routed onto buses to connect the two stops. The closure of the rail line had been announced as indefinite early last week, despite a previously anticipated reopening on Friday.
The high tides generated by Hurricane Marie, which battered the Orange County coastline over Labor Day weekend despite never making landfall, were responsible for the damage. The storm's aftermath included seawall damage, homes deemed unsafe, and closed beaches across the region.
San Clemente is specifically grappling with the storm's impact on its iconic pier. The city is currently looking to declare a state of emergency due to pier damage, which includes 17 braces and a pylon. The ongoing erosion of the coastline also presents a challenge for San Clemente.
Neighboring cities also reported significant damage. Laguna Beach and Dana Point both declared states of emergency last week in response to the extensive damage sustained by waterfront properties and beaches from the high tides. Laguna Beach issued yellow-tags for six homes, restricting entry to those properties. Dana Point saw seven homes yellow-tagged and nine homes red-tagged, meaning those houses are considered unsafe to inhabit.
This year, the National Weather Service is predicting a 75% chance of a historic weather event, driven by the current El Niño forecast. This long-term outlook has prompted coastal cities to intensify efforts to replenish their beaches and prepare for potential upcoming storms anticipated to hit the coast this winter. Laguna Beach City Manager Dave Kiff underscored the severity of the recent sand loss, stating, "Most of us have never seen this much sand leave our beaches at once." He added that while they expect the sand to return, they are not relying on it and "need the ability to act quickly to protect homes, beaches and public infrastructure" given the strong El Niño forecast.
