Aftermath of devastating Huntington Beach flooding revealed as city warns of even more damage

Monster king tides battered Huntington Beach this week, damaging more than 100 structures, forcing evacuations and leaving residents scrambling to clean up before another potentially destructive surge hits next month.The coastal flooding damaged approximately 114 buildings, including six homes that were slapped with yellow tags restricting access because of safety concerns, the city reported.In one particularly alarming incident, saltwater came into contact with a lithium-ion battery, sparking a fire inside one structure.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story The damage prompted an extensive emergency response as city crews raced to protect vulnerable coastal neighborhoods from the surging seawater.“In anticipation of the flooding, the City took proactive steps to protect our coastal communities, particularly Sunset Beach and Huntington Harbour.We activated our Mobile Command Post and strategically deployed emergency response resources into areas expected to be impacted,” the city said Thursday.The flooding was largely driven by powerful King Tides, which occur when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth and aligns with the sun during a new or full moon, producing unusually high water levels.The monster tides didn’t just swamp coastal homes and neighborhoods.

They also turned stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway into a watery mess Tuesday.PCH was shut down in both directions between Seal Beach and Huntington Beach, while Orange County Metrolink service was suspended Monday between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside.In Newport Beach, knee-deep floodwaters surged through residential streets and poured into homes, leaving some motorists stranded as vehicles became partially submerged.Crews scrambled to hold back the rising water, deploying pumps and...