Newport Beach declares emergency as Tropical Storm Rachel floods streets

Newport Beach has declared a local emergency after powerful coastal tides, pushed by the distant Tropical Storm Rachel, swept through the Balboa Peninsula on Friday morning, flooding streets, stranding vehicles, and forcing water into homes.

The flooding caught residents and emergency crews by surprise as ocean water surged across a vast stretch of the peninsula. Parts of Balboa Boulevard sat under nearly two feet of water, prompting the city to temporarily close off much of the peninsula and warn people to stay away.

How bad is the flooding on the Balboa Peninsula?

Mark Vukojevic, the city’s utilities director, said about 15 to 20 blocks of streets were inundated. On the flooded roads, the scene was surreal. Some residents resorted to navigating their neighbourhoods on paddleboards, while others waded barefoot through the knee-deep water.

"We thought it was AI, honestly, when we saw it online," said Patricia Abi Rached, a local studio owner who got stuck in the resulting traffic. Other residents woke up to find ocean water reaching the doors of their parked cars.

Why did the ocean surge?

Officials said the Friday morning high tide, which peaked around 8:50 am, came in 20 inches higher than astronomical forecasts. Newport Beach City Councilmember Erik Weigand explained that the surge was driven by "Kelvin waves"—a massive tidal push rather than standard wave swell.

"It's absolutely brutal out there, unfortunately," Weigand said. He noted that the flooding hit hard near the famous Wedge surf spot, 51st Street, and the area between 12th and 17th Streets.

What happens next?

By Friday afternoon, the immediate floodwaters had receded as city crews opened tide valves, allowing roads to reopen. However, a major cleanup is underway, and the threat is far from over. The National Weather Service has kept a coastal flooding advisory in place until Tuesday afternoon for the entire Southern California coast.

Emergency officials are warning that the worst may be yet to come. High tides on Sunday are projected to be up to 1.5 feet above normal tide charts, combined with a larger swell. Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles warned that Sunday morning will likely bring even more severe flooding.

In response, the city has constructed a large sand berm along the beach to act as a barrier against the oncoming waves. Residents are being urged to move their vehicles to higher ground and stack sandbags, which are being distributed for free at the city's Corporation Yard on Superior Avenue.