Coastal communities across Southern California are bracing for significant flooding as very high tides are expected to reach up to 8 feet through Thursday.
The National Weather Service is warning residents that high tides through Wednesday could produce the highest on record. The current record was set in 2005 in San Pedro when high tides reached 7.93 feet.
"While these tides might be the highest of all-time, similar extreme tides in the past tell us that coastal communities should expect shallow flooding of harbor walkways, beach parking lots and bike paths," the NWS said.
A coastal flood advisory will be in effect for areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 1 p.m. on Thursday. Weather officials say high tides will likely reach between 7.5 and 8 feet each late morning, which is about a foot to 1.5 feet above the astronomical projections.
Officials are warning residents to prepare and protect their flood-prone properties. They are asking people to avoid driving around barricades or through water without knowing its depth.
Over the past few weeks, coastal communities have been dealing with rough waters and high surf that have battered beachfront properties and flooded streets in places such as Long Beach.
The past storms damaged most of the city's wooden boardwalk, forcing crews to cover other parts. Construction crews also rebuilt the massive berms to protect the coastal neighborhoods and, hopefully, prevent the high tide from reaching homes along the Los Alamitos Peninsula.
The huge berms blocked the ocean view, with some neighbors remarking that the area is almost unrecognizable.
"Seeing this is very different, and it's just hard to see," resident Amanda Aya said.
Four years ago, Brian and Amanda Aya got engaged on the Los Alamitos Peninsula Boardwalk.
"It's hard to see cause it's devastating. It's gone," Brian Aya said.
