High tides damage 114 structures in Huntington Beach. City warns of more flooding to come

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 houses were yellow-tagged, meaning access was restricted for security reasons.

Additionally, a structure caught fire after saltwater waves damaged a lithium-ion battery.

Most of the damage occurred at Sunset Beach and Huntington Harbor and was caused by king tides — extremely high tides that usually occur during new or full moons. Swells flooded parts of the Pacific Coast Highway, forcing the closure of several sections of road in Huntington Beach.

The city declared a state of emergency Monday, activating a command post and deploying emergency services throughout the week. Despite the efforts, the city said in a statement that the waves still had significant impacts.

“We strongly encourage residents, especially those in Sunset Beach, Huntington Harbor and other low-lying coastal areas, to begin preparing now,” the statement said. “Take the time to assess your property, obtain sandbags, protect vulnerable areas and review your family’s emergency plans. »

The tides subsided Friday, but the city said more damage could be on the horizon since “tides in late November could be even higher than those this week.”

The tides have hit coastal towns in Orange County, and experts say it’s a taste of more intense El Niño storms this winter. To prepare, cities have deployed an arsenal of flood weapons, including sandbags, water pumps, sand berms and drainage canals.