SoCal authorities issue urgent order as flooding overwhelms picturesque beach town
Newport Beach has shut down all beaches and piers as powerful waves continue flooding the coastline — with crews scrambling to plug gaps in battered sand berms ahead of another dangerous high tide.The closures took effect Saturday as seawater continued pouring into the coastal city, with officials warning that conditions were getting worse.The closures took effect Saturday as seawater continued pouring into the coastal city, with officials warning that conditions were getting worse.“Due to ongoing flooding, all city beaches and piers are closed until further notice,” the city announced, urging the public to steer clear of the affected areas.
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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story “Flooding and hazardous conditions pose serious safety risks,” officials warned, telling residents to follow closure orders and give emergency crews room to work.Crews were still working Saturday morning to fill gaps in protective sand berms, raising fears of another round of flooding.Newport Beach declared a local emergency Friday as Tropical Storm Rachel churned toward Southern California, sending seawater rushing across the Balboa Peninsula and threatening waterfront homes, streets and businesses.“We’re planning for the worst,” Newport Beach City Manager Seimone Jurjis said during a Friday night press conference, as officials detailed efforts to reinforce the coastline.Mayor Lauren Kleiman, joined by police and fire officials, urged residents to prepare rather than wait for floodwaters to arrive.“We’ve worked all summer to prepare for this,” Kleiman said.The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning for Orange County beaches through 3 p.m.
Sunday, cautioning that elevated ocean levels, strong onshore winds and building swells could cause significant...