Record King Tides Cause Extensive Flooding in Southern California

Record-breaking high tides have resulted in severe flooding across parts of Southern California. These events, known as king tides, coincide with the full moon and have caused significant damage to homes and highways.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Harbor recorded an 8 feet, 2 inches tide. This broke a previous record set just the day before. The Pacific Coast Highway faced severe flooding, with reports of water rising through storm drains.

Linda Holle, employed at a marine fueling station in Newport Beach, described her office being flooded. She expressed shock at the magnitude of the flooding, noting its unprecedented nature. Experts predict that king tides in November and December may pose even greater challenges. If these tides align with a winter storm and intense surf, the impact could be substantial.

“I’ve never witnessed such flooding before,” said Linda Holle.

Images show the damage caused by the flooding:

• Seawater inundated the Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach, captured on Oct. 27, 2026. Workers were seen repairing a damaged boardwalk seawall while dealing with low tide conditions.
• Homeowner Morgan Wynne paddled through floodwaters past their home in Sunset Beach.
• Businesses along the Pacific Coast Highway faced flood damage during the high tide in Huntington Beach.
• People used paddle boards to navigate the floodwaters in the closed-off Sunset Beach area.

Increasing risks from king tides emphasize the need for preparedness. California residents are urged to stay informed and ready for potential future flooding events.