West Coast communities bracing for high tides as storms bring flooding

As of October 25, 2026, coastal areas in California, including Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, are under a coastal flood advisory due to "very high" king tides. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts that morning high tides will reach up to 8 feet each day from Sunday through Thursday, which is 1.0 to 1.5 feet above astronomical projections. This could lead to minor to moderate flooding in low-lying coastal areas such as beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways, along with significant beach erosion. Additionally, a coastal flood warning has been issued for San Diego and Orange County, where officials expect tides to reach at least 6 feet starting Monday, potentially climbing above 8 feet in Newport Beach. The high tides are exacerbated by ongoing El Niño conditions over the Pacific Ocean, leading to unusually strong tidal surges and flooding concerns across multiple West Coast communities.