Long Beach Faces Record Tides and Coastal Flooding
Back-to-back storms drive record high tides, causing structural damage across several coastal neighborhoods.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Severe Weather
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Long Beach is reeling from three consecutive storms and historic high tides that have damaged local infrastructure. Rising waters have left several buildings red-tagged due to safety concerns.
Why it matters
The recent extreme weather caused by Hurricane Marie and Tropical Storm Rachel pushed water through seawall cracks, overwhelming residential defenses. The resulting flood damage has forced the city to conduct structural assessments on multiple properties.
Tuesday saw a record-breaking tide of 8.22 feet, surpassing the previous record of 7.93 feet set in January 2005. Seven buildings have been red-tagged and two yellow-tagged following the surge.
The players
Long Beach Public Works Department
This municipal agency is responsible for maintaining city infrastructure and assisting with flood mitigation efforts.
Long Beach Fire Department
The local emergency services agency is providing assistance to residents in removing water from inundated properties.
The details
City crews have deployed sand berms on Bay Shore Beach to mitigate further flooding while residents in Naples Island utilize portable pumps to clear water from homes. Damage to infrastructure has been concentrated in areas including Alamitos Bay and Belmont Shore.
Timeline
January 2005: Previous high tide record set at 7.93 feet.
Monday: High tide reached 8.02 feet.
Tuesday: Record high tide reached 8.22 feet.
Friday, Oct. 30: Coastal Flood Advisory concludes.
Saturday: Light showers of less than 0.1 inch of rain are expected.
Seasonal Patterns
This flooding marks a departure from historical norms as the Tuesday tide of 8.22 feet exceeds the previous record of 7.93 feet established in 2005. The event reflects the intensified impact of consecutive storm systems on local coastal infrastructure.
Residents should monitor local alerts for updates as minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected to continue. Those in affected coastal zones are advised to follow all safety tags posted by city officials on damaged properties.
The takeaway
Property owners should inspect their homes for water damage and verify seawall integrity following the recent surge. Staying informed via city channels is essential for those living in vulnerable coastal neighborhoods.
Further reading
For updates on weather warnings, visit the Severe Weather section.
More information
For official updates and emergency protocols, visit the city emergency alerts portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Press Telegram.
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Is your community doing enough to prepare for rising high tide and storm flood risks?
