Southern California's coast is bracing for coastal flooding as king tides arrive, with a Coastal Flood Advisory in effect from 25 to 29 October 2026 and Coastal Flood Warnings for the coasts of San Diego and Orange counties. Elevated tides, amplified by the El Nino pattern, could increase flooding impacts, according to the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Homes already damaged

The latest threat follows successive hurricane-generated swells associated with storms Marie, Polo and Rachel, which stripped sand from beaches, while an oceanic Kelvin wave is contributing to elevated water levels. In Capistrano Beach, several homes along Beach Road have reportedly suffered structural damage, with six or seven homes red-tagged as uninhabitable and undergoing demolition. A red tag means a building is unsafe to occupy, which is a serious step for residents.

A bluff under pressure

Crews are mounting a $4 million emergency operation to reinforce a fractured 360-foot bluff near El Moro and Crystal Cove, using heavy equipment, rocks and sand-filled plastic bags ahead of the king tides. Offshore reefs that once helped break incoming waves are no longer providing the same protection, according to a local account quoted in the report, with waves passing the reefs and doubling up against structures inside, where there is no sand buffer left.

What king tides are

King tides are the highest tides of the year, occurring when the moon is closest to Earth and aligned with the sun. On their own they are predictable, but when they coincide with storm swells and already eroded beaches, they can push water further inland than usual. Residents in warned areas should follow local emergency guidance and avoid driving through flooded roads. Sources: New York Post; California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.