High tides and Tropical Storm Rachel swells flood Newport Beach's Balboa Peninsula

Ocean water flooded streets and properties on Newport Beach's Balboa Peninsula on Friday as elevated tides and powerful swells driven by Tropical Storm Rachel inundated low-lying coastal areas.

City officials urged residents and visitors to avoid the peninsula while crews responded to the flooding. Aerial footage showed seawater covering residential streets, with vehicles partially submerged and people wading through the water. Police restricted access in parts of the area to residents only and warned drivers against entering flooded roadways.

Newport Beach declared a local emergency to secure additional resources. City crews operated pumps, opened tide valves, and worked to rebuild protective sand berms along the shoreline. Officials specifically cautioned against driving low-clearance vehicles or electric cars through the salt water, noting the risk of damage or fire.

A coastal flood advisory issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect for Orange County beaches through 2 p.m. Tuesday. High tides are forecast to reach 6.5 to 7 feet during morning and evening periods. Additional south swells associated with Rachel are expected to increase surf heights over the weekend, with the largest waves possible on Sunday, raising the potential for further street flooding, minor beach erosion, and hazardous rip currents.

Similar high-surf impacts were reported along other parts of the Southern California coast, including damage to a boardwalk in Long Beach. Rain from the tropical storm is also in the forecast for the region this weekend. No injuries had been reported as of Friday afternoon.