Overview
- Coastal flood warnings and advisories now cover much of the Southeast Atlantic coast and large parts of Southern California after high tides flooded streets in Newport Beach, Long Beach and along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach on Monday.
- National Weather Service forecasts call for morning high tides to push water roughly 2 to 3.5 feet above normally dry ground in vulnerable Southeast locations and for Southern California tides to reach about 7.5 to 8+ feet, with some crests that could challenge local records.
- Strong northeasterly winds with sustained speeds around 20–30 mph and gusts to roughly 40–45 mph are maintaining onshore flow, producing gale warnings, 10–14 foot seas in spots, dangerous surf and a high risk of rip currents that will worsen flooding and slow drainage.
- Cities and agencies have activated short‑term protections and altered services by installing sandbags and berms, opening emergency operations, suspending vulnerable rail segments such as Metrolink’s Orange County line, and urging residents not to drive through saltwater.
- Scientists cite a marine heat wave and a strong El Niño that have raised baseline sea levels by about 1 to nearly 2 feet in some places, increasing the chance that king‑tide cycles this season will cause repeated disruption even as water levels are expected to ease after the midweek peak.