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Newport Beach

Newport Beach Urges Preparation for King Tides

City crews reinforce sand berms and stormwater systems as record October tides and a Super El Niño raise coastal flood risk.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Forecasts

Wide view of a curving sand berm along a pale beach at high tide, with dark Pacific swell against its base and a concrete stormwater channel cutting through the sand.
Newport Beach officials urged residents to prepare for King Tides after a record 8.4-foot October high tide, as crews reinforce sand berms and stormwater systems. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Have you taken steps to protect your property from coastal flooding this winter?

Newport Beach police urged residents to prepare for King Tides after a record-breaking October high tide of 8.4 feet. City crews are reinforcing protective sand berms, inspecting stormwater infrastructure, and maintaining tide valves and pumping systems.

Why it matters

Above-average water levels combined with unusually high tides can lead to tidal flooding and beach erosion, and warm Pacific water is driving more West Coast flooding. Ocean levels could rise a foot or higher above October's recorded levels during the coming King Tide periods.

Newport Beach's record October high tide reached 8.4 feet, and projections indicate ocean levels could rise a foot or higher above those October readings. The source does not detail how much flooding will occur during the coming King Tide windows.

The players

Newport Beach Police Department

The local police agency that issued the public call for residents to prepare for King Tides.

California Coastal Commission

The state agency that authorized the city to issue emergency permits for seawall repairs and extensions.

The details

City crews are positioning equipment and personnel in vulnerable areas and maintaining tide valves and pumping systems. The city has also received authorization from the California Coastal Commission to issue emergency permits for seawall repairs and extensions, though pumps cannot manage seawall overtopping or major flooding.

Timeline

  1. October 2026: Record-breaking 8.4-foot high tide recorded.

  2. Nov. 23 to 27, 2026: King Tides expected during Thanksgiving week.

  3. Dec. 22 to 26, 2026: King Tides expected during Christmas week.

  4. January 2027: King Tides expected to continue into the new year.

Seasonal Patterns

Newport Beach's King Tide warning fits a documented pattern in which warm Pacific water and a Super El Niño are driving more flooding along the West Coast this winter. The extraction does not provide historical averages to compare the October 8.4-foot tide against.

Residents should prepare for King Tide flooding by remaining aware of rising water near the coast. Floodwater, especially saltwater, can damage lithium-ion batteries and create a fire risk even after water recedes, and vehicle wakes can push water onto nearby properties.

The takeaway

Residents should plan around the Thanksgiving and Christmas King Tide windows and avoid boating in Newport Harbor during peak tides. Keeping valuables and electronics elevated can reduce damage from saltwater flooding.

What happens next

King Tides are expected during Thanksgiving week from Nov. 23 to 27, 2026, and again during Christmas week from Dec. 22 to 26, 2026.

Further reading

Track the latest outlooks in the Forecasts section for Newport Beach coastal conditions.

More information

Read the City flood recovery and seawall permit information on the Newport Beach city website.

Live Poll

Have you taken steps to protect your property from coastal flooding this winter?