High surf threatens Dana Point homes after storm erosion

High surf and high tides from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel are eroding the Dana Point coast and threatening homes already damaged by earlier storms, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The erosion is directly affecting Orange County coastal communities, with impacts reported in Dana Point, Capistrano Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that sidewalks were buckling and falling into the water Monday morning as high tides from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel battered the Dana Point coast.

Officials red-tagged eight homes after another storm last month, and two homes were demolished, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. The station reported that homeowners along the coast were trying to protect properties already weakened by the earlier damage.

Lauri Torres, a Capistrano Beach resident, told ABC7 Los Angeles that the erosion moved quickly. "I came home, and on the 9th, we came in, and our deck was starting to cave," Torres said.

Torres said the homes are especially vulnerable because they sit directly on sand. "Our homes are on sand, and so, our slab is just straight on sand. So what happens is, the water is eroding the sand so quickly, and the house fell overnight," Torres said.

ABC7 Los Angeles also reported that Laguna Beach activated its emergency operations center, while The Wedge and city piers in Newport Beach remained closed.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported the coast remained under pressure from relentless tides as residents watched for more erosion around already damaged homes.