PCH lane closes near Laguna Beach after bluff crack

One southbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway between El Moro and Irvine Cove has closed after a large crack appeared in a bluff supporting the road near Laguna Beach, Voice of OC reported.

The closure follows high tides and strong waves that caused flooding in coastal Orange County, adding to concerns about transportation routes and beach communities ahead of a predicted Super El Niño season.

Voice of OC reported that Laguna Beach officials said the highway is outside the city’s jurisdiction, but the city released an Instagram video Tuesday afternoon warning drivers about the closure and likely delays.

Tom Perez, Laguna Beach public works and utilities director, said in the video that CalTrans confirmed the closure is tied to possible problems on the road shoulder. "We have no information as far as how deep or what the extent of the crack is, but CalTrans is working on investigating the issue and determining what course of action they may need to take for any repairs," Perez said.

City Manager Dave Kiff said in the same video that officials do not have a timetable for the lane to reopen, according to Voice of OC. Traffic is expected to be affected for several days.

The closure comes after Tropical Storm Rachel and unusually high tides brought surface flooding to several coastal Orange County cities, Voice of OC reported. Newport Beach declared a state of emergency after flooding hit Balboa Peninsula on Friday.

The National Weather Service is forecasting an 83% chance of a historic Super El Niño event from October to December, according to Voice of OC. The Orange County Transportation Authority is also postponing a project intended to strengthen the San Clemente coast until after El Niño season.

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said in a Tuesday news release that erosion and wave impacts are putting coastal transportation infrastructure and the beach economy under increasing pressure, according to Voice of OC.