Brief

Newport Beach closes all beaches and piers as flooding from Tropical Storm Rachel intensifies

City officials warned of hazardous conditions and urged residents to stay clear while crews worked to reinforce sand berms.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 11 Oct 2026 01:18:22 GMT

Newport Beach, California, shut down every city beach and pier on Saturday, Oct. 10, after flooding from elevated tides linked to Tropical Storm Rachel continued to inundate the Balboa Peninsula, the city announced.

What happened

Floodwaters began covering streets on the peninsula on Friday, Oct. 9, as the storm pushed seawater onto the coastline. City officials declared a local emergency on Friday night and ordered the closures to take effect the following morning. Crews were still filling gaps in protective sand berms on Saturday, fearing another high tide could worsen conditions.

What the reports add

The New York Post report notes that officials described the flooding as “ongoing” and warned that “hazardous conditions pose serious safety risks.” The article also mentions that city leaders, including City Manager Seimone Jurjis, said they were “planning for the worst” during a Friday‑night press conference. Mayor Lauren Kleiman, accompanied by police and fire officials, urged residents to prepare rather than wait for floodwaters to arrive.

What was said

City Manager Seimone Jurjis told reporters, “We’re planning for the worst,” as officials detailed efforts to reinforce the coastline. Mayor Lauren Kleiman urged residents to “prepare rather than wait for floodwaters to arrive.” The city’s official statement read, “Due to ongoing flooding, all city beaches and piers are closed until further notice,” and warned the public to stay clear of the affected areas.

How it came about

Tropical Storm Rachel moved toward Southern California on Oct. 9, generating elevated tides that overwhelmed the sand berms protecting Newport Beach’s waterfront. The storm’s surge forced seawater onto streets and threatened homes, businesses, and the popular Balboa Peninsula boardwalk. City officials responded by declaring a local emergency, mobilizing crews to plug berm gaps, and issuing the blanket beach and pier closures to protect residents and allow emergency work to continue.

Key facts

All Newport Beach city beaches and piers were closed on Oct. 10 due to flooding. (nypost.com)
The flooding was caused by elevated tides linked to Tropical Storm Rachel. (nypost.com)
City officials declared a local emergency on Oct. 9. (nypost.com)
Crews were working to fill gaps in sand berms on Saturday. (nypost.com)
City Manager Seimone Jurjis said the city was planning for the worst. (nypost.com)