Huntington Beach hit by record tides; 114 structures damaged, king tides loom in November
Coastal flooding across Southern California damaged over 100 homes this week; the city warns worse is coming.
What to know
- Record-breaking tides flooded Huntington Beach and Southern California coast October 26–29, damaging 114 structures and forcing Pacific Coast Highway closures; San Diego recorded its highest tide level on record (8.52 feet).
- City officials warn late-November king tides could exceed this week's levels, urging residents in low-lying areas to prepare immediately.
- Water-damaged lithium-ion batteries sparked at least one structure fire; officials cautioned against charging or operating flood-exposed equipment.
- Huntington Beach activated emergency response, deployed sandbags and barriers, and is seeking reimbursement via local emergency declaration ratification.
“If floodwater, especially saltwater, exposed your home, vehicle, or battery-powered equipment, use caution. Water-damaged lithium-ion batteries can pose a serious fire hazard even after they appear dry.”
Huntington Beach officials · Mercury News ↗
Travis Hopkins Huntington Beach City ManagerJessica Cuchilla Huntington Beach city spokespersonNational Weather Service Federal forecasting agencyHuntington Beach City Council Local government body
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Huntington Beach City Council ratifies local emergency declaration
City Council meets at 2 p.m. to ratify the emergency declaration, enabling the city to pursue reimbursement for costs incurred responding to the flooding. Tide levels ease into the weekend as threat of immediate flooding decreases.
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@ ai6yr @ BakerRL75 Record tides flood California coast as Huntington Beach declares emergency and warnings persist Exceptionally high tides have flooded coastal communities across California since October 26, 2026, inundating homes, businesses and roads, forcing closures along Pacific Coast Highway and prompting a local emergency declaration in…
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LA Times: High tides damage 114 structures in Huntington Beach. City warns of more flooding to come https://www. latimes.com/california/story/2 026-10-30/high-tides-damage-114-structures-in-huntington-beach-city-warns-of-more-flooding-to-come # disasters # sealevelrise # CAwx # HuntingtonBeach
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The ocean wreaked havoc on Huntington Beach this week. According to city officials, 114 homes and other structures along the coast were damaged by high tides and flooding. Six homes were yellow-tagged, meaning access was restricted due to safety concerns. In addition, one structure caught on fire after the saltwater surf damaged a lithium-ion…
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City warns residents to prepare for potentially larger November king tides — Officials advise residents in Sunset Beach, Huntington Harbour and other low-lying coastal areas to prepare immediately, citing predictions that late-November king tides could exceed this week's levels. Warning issued about water-damaged lithium-ion batteries posing serious fire hazards.
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Huntington Beach releases damage assessment: 114 structures affected
City officials report 114 homes and structures sustained water damage during the week-long flooding, with six homes yellow-tagged. A structure fire occurred from saltwater exposure to a lithium-ion battery. Pacific Coast Highway is expected to reopen Friday with no restrictions.
“These incidents remind us that high tides can create hazards that remain even after the water recedes.”
— Huntington Beach city officials -
4 outlets first by LA Times, 8d ago · also Newser, LA Times California, Los Angeles Times · read ↗
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first by Mercury News, 9d ago
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San Diego records highest tide level in station history — The National Weather Service records 2.60 m (8.52 feet) above mean lower low water at San Diego's tide gauge, exceeding the previous day's record of 2.57 m (8.44 feet).
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Pacific Coast Highway closures and emergency response deployed — Flooding forces closure of Pacific Coast Highway between Warner Avenue and Anderson Street and Saybrook Lane between Edinger Avenue and Humboldt Drive. Huntington Beach activates mobile command post, reinforces sand berms, deploys sandbags, and positions pumping equipment in Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach.
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Exceptional coastal flooding begins across Southern California — High tides over 8 feet push seawater into low-lying coastal communities from San Diego to the Bay Area. Huntington Beach City Manager Travis Hopkins proclaims a local emergency, citing unusually high tides, coastal flooding, high surf and erosion.