Coastal flooding in Long Beach forces evacuations after high surf from storm remnants

Waves reaching as high as 12 feet breached the seawall and boardwalk along a stretch of Long Beach, turning streets into temporary lakes and prompting a mandatory evacuation order for about 20 homes between 63rd Place and 67th Place. Residents were instructed to leave by firefighters who went door-to-door on Monday evening.

The flooding damaged vehicles, homes and infrastructure. One couple reported losing $60,000 worth of cars after their garage filled with water, while other homeowners described sand and debris covering porches despite efforts to block water with plywood and sandbags.

"The conditions were very normal, and within five minutes the entire street became a lake," said 77-year-old resident Evelina Mardirossian.

"I wish I had known it was coming. I would at least put the sand bag where my front door is," said resident Del Sunperk.

"The sand level is eroding. So the waves are not coming up and over as much as they’re hitting our boardwalk, which is collapsing in multiple places," said Jen Pieracci-Jensen.

The damage extended to the structural integrity of some homes, with reports of sand being washed out from beneath foundations and cracked concrete between properties. Public works crews returned on Tuesday with tractors to reinforce the sand berm ahead of the next high tide.

Evacuees are staying in local emergency shelters or nearby hotels, and some have moved in with family while city inspectors assess the damage. The flooding was linked to the remnants of storm Marie, which weakened to a tropical storm offshore but continued to generate high surf along Southern California.

Residents called for more detailed warnings beyond generic email alerts, suggesting a checklist of protective actions for future events.