King tides flood Southern California, close highways and halt rail

King tides flood Southern California, close highways and halt rail

Climate
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On 28 October, record-high king tides in Southern California flooded coastal neighborhoods, forced the closure of sections of the Pacific Coast Highway and suspended Metrolink commuter service, and officials said flood alerts would stay in effect through. The National Weather Service had warned on 18 October that the tides could reach historic levels as unusually warm Pacific waters linked to a strong El Niño pushed sea levels to record heights, prompting counties to prepare sandbags, reinforce berms and begin moving sand to protect vulnerable streets and businesses.

Actors

National Weather Service NOAA Doug George Philip Gonsalves Newport Beach Long Beach Caltrans Metrolink

Locations

San Diego County Orange County Los Angeles County Ventura County Santa Barbara County San Luis Obispo County San Francisco Bay Monterey Bay Southern California Newport Beach Long Beach Alamitos Bay Crystal Cove Highway 1 Metrolink service area in southern Orange County Metrolink service area in San Diego County Highway 37 Bay Area

Articles

October 28, 2026
1 total
King tides cause flooding and road closures along Southern California coast
King tides cause flooding and road closures along Southern California coast

New York Post • 28 Oct 00:44

Record-high tides in Southern California have flooded coastal neighborhoods, closed sections of the Pacific Coast Highway and disrupted Metrolink service, with flood alerts expected to remain in place through Thursday.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
October 27, 2026
1 total
Record ocean temperatures drive unprecedented coastal flooding in Southern California
Record ocean temperatures drive unprecedented coastal flooding in Southern California

Los Angeles Times • 27 Oct 13:58

Unusually warm Pacific waters linked to a strong El Niño have caused sea levels to rise to record heights, flooding streets and businesses along the Southern California coast.

Credibility 72% Manip. 14% Center
October 26, 2026
2 total
Southern California faces near-record tides and heightened flood risk
Southern California faces near-record tides and heightened flood risk

Los Angeles Times • 26 Oct 20:00

The National Weather Service warned that record-high sea levels are expected across Southern California this week, prompting sandbagging and other flood-prevention measures in coastal communities.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
California coastal towns brace for flooding as tides reach historic levels
California coastal towns brace for flooding as tides reach historic levels

The Guardian • 26 Oct 17:47

The National Weather Service warned of significant coastal flooding in San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties through Thursday, prompting local authorities to issue safety advisories and deploy sandbags.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
October 24, 2026
1 total
Coastal flood warnings issued as exceptionally high tides threaten California beaches
Coastal flood warnings issued as exceptionally high tides threaten California beaches

Los Angeles Times • 24 Oct 10:00

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings and advisories for multiple California counties as unusually high tides are expected to cause flooding and erosion through Thursday.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center

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