Newport Beach weighs flood defenses after storm inundates Balboa Peninsula

Newport Beach officials are weighing additional beach sand and shoreline barriers after Storm Rachel flooded much of the Balboa Peninsula, with more high tides approaching. Residents questioned the city’s preparations at Tuesday’s council meeting, Voice of OC reported.

The Orange County city faces further exceptionally high tides beginning Oct. 26 as officials consider both immediate flood precautions and longer-term erosion measures. The discussions include a possible emergency declaration and proposals to use federal dredging funds for more beach sand, according to Voice of OC.

Public Works Director Dave Webb said the storm’s tide rose nearly two feet above expectations, according to Voice of OC. Crews used sand taken from the Santa Ana River to build unusually high protective berms through the weekend, he said.

City Manager Seimone Jurjis said the city would keep the berms in place as long as possible, potentially through January, after high tides ease. The city also plans to continue flood-reduction efforts and stormwater pumping operations.

Mayor Lauren Kleiman said Newport Beach might declare an emergency before the October king tides. Webb urged residents to retain sandbags for reuse, raise private seawalls, keep vehicles out of flooded streets and relocate belongings and vehicles to higher ground.

Councilmember Erik Weigand proposed studying a ninth groin, a shoreline structure used to retain sand, and hiring a meteorologist or another specialist to evaluate wave forecasts. Staff also reviewed possible repairs to the eight existing groins, harbor sand dredging and an additional location for pumping sand onto beaches, Voice of OC reported.

Councilmember Joe Stapleton suggested directing $6 million remaining from a federal dredging project toward another sand replenishment effort. Separately, Newport Beach is expected to receive as much as 100,000 cubic yards of Santa Ana River sand in work anticipated to begin in November and cost up to $2 million.

Residents questioned whether the city had adequately prepared for the flooding and urged officials to lead the disaster response, Voice of OC reported. With more high tides ahead, the city’s preparations also include work toward the federal Surfside-Sunset sand replenishment project.