NWS San Diego issues the first High Surf Advisory and Coastal Flood Advisory for Orange County coastal areas, effective 6 a.m. Saturday Sept. 5 through 11 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 8: 6–10 ft breaking waves on south-facing beaches, strong rip currents, and minor flooding of lots, parks and roads as a south swell coincides with king tides.

Advisories take effect at 6 a.m. Saturday. First peak high tide of the sequence: 6.0 ft at 4:48 p.m. (La Jolla reference), rising each afternoon to 6.8 ft on Tuesday.

NWS reissues both advisories at 2:10 p.m. Saturday with unchanged parameters; no rescues, injuries, or road closures publicly reported on the OC coast as of Saturday evening.

Newport Beach lifeguards log more than 170 ocean rescues by mid-afternoon Saturday, surpassing the 96 on July 4; surf tops the berm into Seal Beach's 8th and 10th Street pier lots, which the city closes through Wednesday.

Voice of OC reports the LOSSAN rail line through San Clemente is closed after rainfall and high surf hit the Orange County coast.

Newport Beach lifeguards close the weekend with 190 rescues and about 7,200 warnings; Aliso Beach lot closed by sand inundation; Laguna Beach yellow-tags part of the collapsed Giles seawall.

Metrolink warns that high tides near San Clemente could delay Orange County Line trains through Thursday Sept. 10 whenever a tide reaches 6 ft or higher.

ABC7 reports Hurricane Marie surf has battered Southern California communities, leaving coastal areas flooded from high surf.

Metrolink keeps the OC Line and IE-OC Line closed between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside on Monday after weekend delays over two hours; salt water reaches the San Clemente tracks at roughly 6-ft tides.

ABC7 reports Seal Beach residents begin cleanup after high surf flooded the boardwalk and parking lots near the pier over the weekend; residents reinforce homes Monday ahead of additional evening high tides.

NWS San Diego reissues both advisories at 8:40 p.m. PDT Sept. 7 through 11 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 8: updated wave parameters (4–7 ft, sets to 9 ft), minor coastal flooding at evening high tides. Newport Beach Tuesday higher high tide now forecast at 7.0 ft at 7:59 p.m.

OCTA closes the coastal rail line through San Clemente after overnight erosion and slope damage beside the tracks; Metrolink ends at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Surfliner at San Juan Capistrano with an Irvine–Oceanside bus bridge.

Dana Point proclaims a local emergency for Beach Road in the Capistrano Bay District after seawalls fail; 9 homes red-tagged and 7 yellow-tagged, one already demolished; crews place 700-pound boulders to rebuild the shoreline barrier.

Laguna Beach City Manager Dave Kiff proclaims a local emergency; six oceanfront homes on Ocean Way and Lagunita Drive are yellow-tagged and the Aliso Beach parking lot is closed after a partial failure.

The county activates its Emergency Operations Center; Supervisor Foley presses for a county emergency proclamation while Chair Chaffee balks over insurance-rate concerns. San Clemente reports pier damage of about $300,000 and weighs its own declaration.

Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink service resumes through San Clemente after six days of closure.

San Clemente City Council unanimously proclaims a local emergency: authorizes sand placement at North Beach, protective berms for restrooms and lifeguard HQ, and up to $1 million in emergency spending. Pier damage (one pylon, 17 braces) estimated at ~$300,000. Dana Point's count confirmed at 10 red-tagged and 7 yellow-tagged homes on Beach Road; Dana Point council ratifies its Sept. 9 proclamation.

Orange County proclaims a local state of emergency for Hurricane Marie coastal damage and El Niño preparation. Board Chair Chaffee signs at 3 p.m.; Vice Chair Foley says the declaration frees resources and streamlines permitting. County requests statewide declaration from Gov. Newsom; executive order covers debris removal, vegetation management, and flood-risk reduction. Seal Beach also reported to be preparing for El Niño.

OC Fire Authority reported to be in line for more than $1.8 million in federal funds for a dedicated search-and-rescue task force to be deployed ahead of the forecast El Niño season.

San Clemente confirmed to receive $1 million in state funding for North Beach sand placement, per OC Register. A separate release references a governor's statewide El Niño emergency proclamation (reported circa Sept. 21–25); not yet independently confirmed against the governor's office.

Seal Beach City Council unanimously ratifies local emergency proclamations (dated Sept. 17, 21, and 22) proclaimed by City Manager Patrick Gallegos while the council was out of session, tying the action to Gov. Newsom's Sept. 21 statewide El Niño preparedness proclamation. Seal Beach becomes the fourth OC coastal city to declare; sandbags placed at fire stations 44 and 48; council must review emergency at least every 60 days. Hurricane Polo, meanwhile, largely spares the OC coast — no injuries or structural losses reported.

Laguna Beach obtains emergency repair permit to fill in the storm-damaged section of the Aliso Beach parking lot; lot expected to reopen in approximately two weeks after sand removal.

Voice of OC reports a county-wide competition for limited sand resources, with San Clemente, Newport Beach, and Seal Beach each pursuing emergency sand replenishment ahead of El Niño; questions remain about timing and sourcing of sand for the LOSSAN rail corridor buffer at San Clemente.

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center reports El Niño continues to strengthen: greater than 83% probability of a strong-to-very-strong event through January–March 2027, and 83% chance of a historic-strength event in October–December 2026. Orange County launches El Niño preparedness site at ocgov.com/el-nino on Oct. 9.

Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel bring tides approximately 20 inches above predictions. Newport Beach City Manager Seimone Jurjis declares a local emergency; roughly 15–20 blocks of the Balboa Peninsula flood. Newport Pier, Balboa Pier, and The Wedge close. Laguna Beach activates its EOC. Newport Beach becomes the fifth OC coastal city under a local emergency.

Dana Point's Oct. 12 Capistrano Bay District update revises the Beach Road tally to 7 red-tagged and 13 yellow-tagged homes, with two demolished and one scheduled for demolition — reflecting additional Rachel-driven erosion on top of Marie damage.

Newport Beach council study session on flooding: staff plan a 100,000-cubic-yard Santa Ana River sand haul, possibly starting in November.

Cracks in the Crystal Cove coastal bluff close the No. 2 southbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway between Reef Point Drive and Irvine Cove Drive with no reopening date. The beach below and parts of Crystal Cove State Park — including the historic cottage district — are closed; visitors in 26 cottages are evacuated. Caltrans, State Parks, and the California Coastal Commission are coordinating; depth of the crack is unknown.

OC Parks begins delivering approximately 9,000 cubic yards of sand from the LaPeyre Quarry to Capistrano Beach — about $520,000, estimated two weeks to complete. The OC Register also reports the Aliso Beach parking lot sustained additional damage from Rachel and remains closed.

Seal Beach Pier in Seal Beach, Calif., on May 2, 2025. CREDIT: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PIERS-OC-2025-MENDOZA-78-1-scaled.jpg?fit=771%2C433&ssl=1" /> Seal Beach officials approved a local emergency due to expected impac

San Clemente on Saturday, Sept. 26. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/C6ECB003-C38D-4577-8128-983F78DD2F92_1_105_c-copy.jpg?fit=771%2C514&ssl=1" /> Replenishing the county’s beaches is taking a new focus amid warni

The Metrolink train passing through San Clemente on Saturday, Sept. 26. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/9E074CE6-DBB6-415A-85A2-5FA4E9F12F98_1_105_c.jpeg?fit=771%2C514&ssl=1" /> OCTA declared a coastal emergency

The beach-side lot at Aliso Beach is expected to be open again in about two weeks after sand is removed.

The sand will be dumped at North Beach ahead of the anticipated Super El Niño.

Parking spaces blocked off by caution tape and flooded with sand and ocean water at Aliso Beach on Saturday, Sept. 12. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EROSION-LAGUNABEACH-SANTANA-2026-20.jpg?fit=771%2C514&ssl=1"

Parking spaces blocked off by caution tape and flooded with sand and ocean water at Aliso Beach on Saturday, Sept. 12. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EROSION-LAGUNABEACH-SANTANA-2026-20.jpg?fit=771%2C514&ssl=1"

Orange County declared a local state of emergency Thursday in response to severe coastal erosion, high surf and damage to homes.

The clock near Seal Beach Pier in Seal Beach, Calif., on May 2, 2025. CREDIT: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PIERS-OC-2025-MENDOZA-98.jpg?fit=771%2C433&ssl=1" /> Seal Beach is preparing for what scientists are predicting is g

The San Clemente Pier. Credit: ANNIE LEWIS, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/San_Clemente_Peir_2024_09_Lewis-2-1-of-1.jpeg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" /> The council approved emergency sand placement at North Beach after high surf battered Orange Cou

The train runs through San Clemente. " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/San_Clemente_Train_2024_09_Lewis-1-1-of-1.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" /> Metrolink and Pacific Surfliner services will resume this week after a portion of the train line in San Clemente wa

Waves crash up against the rocks at Capistrano Beach on Monday, Sept, 7. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AE831FCD-1A2A-4D98-AB84-83C3D9587D11_1_105_c-copy.jpg?fit=771%2C514&ssl=1" /> Laguna Beach and Dana Point d

More than a dozen homes were damaged in Dana Point after hurricane-force swells battered the coastline, prompting city officials to proclaim a local emergency.

Coastal Flood Advisory issued September 9 at 4:30PM PDT until September 9 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Several homes along Beach Road in Dana Point's Capistrano Beach sustained significant damage after powerful waves struck the Orange County coastline, according to local officials and residents.

Coastal Flood Advisory issued September 8 at 1:54PM PDT until September 9 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Waves crash against Capistrano Beach shores as the Amtrak Surfliner travels by on Monday, Sept, 7. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/518817D5-C204-4ACC-9831-E50CA4BF6C71_1_105_c.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" /> A portio

Coastal Flood Advisory issued September 7 at 8:40PM PDT until September 8 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

High Surf Advisory issued September 7 at 8:40PM PDT until September 8 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Residents cleared debris and reinforced their homes Monday as Seal Beach prepared for another round of high surf and potential flooding.

Residents in communities like Long Beach and Seal Beach are cleaning up flooding and debris after water washed over berms and into neighborhoods.

High tides were anticipated through Thursday, Sept. 10. Officials say delays could occur if a high tide reaches 6 feet or higher.

Water inundated parking lots near the Seal Beach Pier as lifeguards warned of high surf, rip currents and increased rescues along the coast.

The Surfliner Amtrak passes through Califia Beach in San Clemente, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Credit: ANNIE LEWIS, Voice of OC " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/voiceofoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Surfline_Amtrack_2024_Lewis_San_Clemente_-1-of-1-scaled.jpg?fit=771%2C434&ssl=1" /> Rain

High Surf Advisory issued September 5 at 2:10PM PDT until September 8 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Coastal Flood Advisory issued September 5 at 2:10PM PDT until September 8 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Under current conditions, when tides are high or the surf is big, the ocean covers the sand, waves bouncing on rock structures and cutting off the ability to use the sandy beach until the tides recede later in the day. 

A partially collapsed seawall at an oceanfront Laguna Beach home is raising concerns ahead of a forecasted weekend swell.

Coastal Flood Advisory issued September 3 at 1:32PM PDT until September 8 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

High Surf Advisory issued September 3 at 1:32PM PDT until September 8 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA

Orange County beach communities are preparing for another round of potentially dangerous surf after a weekend that saw hundreds of ocean rescues amid strong waves and rip currents.