What is happening on Southern California beaches right now. Official notices come from the National Weather Service, county health departments, ocean observing programs, and our own data. Community posts come from divers and swimmers who were standing there.
Coastal Flood Warning from the National Weather Service, in effect for Orange County and San Diego until Thursday 1:00 PM. Significant coastal flooding expected. Numerous roads may be closed. Low lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure will be inundated.
The City of Ventura closed part of the beach near Surfer's Knoll on October 23. River water flowing through the rock jetty is causing currents that can trap and drown people. The city asks visitors to stay out of the water and off the jetty.
Governor Newsom proclaimed a statewide state of emergency on September 21 to prepare California for an El Niño that NOAA gives better than a 90 percent chance of becoming very strong and a 75 percent chance of being the strongest on record since 1950. State officials are preparing for repeated rounds of heavy rain, flooding, coastal flooding, large surf, debris flows, and power outages through the winter. A pulse of warm water is due to lift sea level on the Southern California coast by 6 to 12 inches by October, and the eastern Pacific hurricane season is forecast well above average, which means more south swell arriving on top of already high water. Officials are asking Californians to prepare their homes and families now: keep emergency supplies and water on hand, sign up for local emergency alerts, know the evacuation route from home, and follow the direction of emergency officials once storms arrive. The proclamation directs all residents to obey emergency officials during this emergency. Nautical News has the full story, including when the sea level rise reaches each city and what the 1997 to 1998 winter looked like.
Coastal Flood Advisory from the National Weather Service, in effect for Catalina Island, Los Angeles County, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County until Thursday 1:00 PM. Minor to moderate coastal flooding expected due to very high tides. Minor to moderate flooding of sea water is likely over vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the time of high tide,.
Orange County health officials have posted a bacteria advisory at 1st Street, 8th Street, South of Pier, and 129 more beaches, where bacteria levels in the water are higher than normal. Counties post an advisory when water samples test above state health standards, or when runoff is likely to push them there. Swimming, surfing, or diving there raises the risk of getting sick, and the advisory stays in place until the county lifts it.
Every beach in San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura counties is under a rain advisory or closure, and all San Luis Obispo sites are posted. Bacteria peak near creek mouths and storm drains. Counties advise staying out of the water 72 hours after rain.
Tropical Storm Rachel damage has closed part of the North Ponto parking lot and a restroom at South Carlsbad State Beach. No reopening date is set. State Parks suggests visiting near low tide, when more sand separates the bluffs from the waves.
Heal the Bay's weekly dry-weather grades for Santa Barbara, issued October 23rd, put Goleta Beach at F. Butterfly Beach came in at D. County health departments sample these beaches at least once a week and measure 3 fecal indicator bacteria, total coliform, fecal coliform, and Enterococcus, which stand in for the pathogens that make swimmers sick. The grade summarizes those samples. It does not report a spill, a beach closure, or any single incident. Each grade covers bacteria levels at one sampling point, so water a few hundred yards along the same beach can test very differently. Levels run highest beside storm drain and creek outlets, and for roughly 3 days after rain.
Los Angeles County health officials have posted a bacteria advisory at Descanso Bay and Avalon Beach, where bacteria levels in the water are higher than normal. Counties post an advisory when water samples test above state health standards, or when runoff is likely to push them there. Swimming, surfing, or diving there raises the risk of getting sick, and the advisory stays in place until the county lifts it.
Los Angeles County health officials have posted a bacteria advisory at Leo Carillo State Beach, Nicholas Canyon County Beach, Topanga County Beach, and 38 more beaches, where bacteria levels in the water are higher than normal. Counties post an advisory when water samples test above state health standards, or when runoff is likely to push them there. Swimming, surfing, or diving there raises the risk of getting sick, and the advisory stays in place until the county lifts it.
San Diego County health officials have posted a bacteria advisory at Swami's Park, La Jolla Cove, Children's Pool, and 6 more beaches, where bacteria levels in the water are higher than normal. Counties post an advisory when water samples test above state health standards, or when runoff is likely to push them there. Swimming, surfing, or diving there raises the risk of getting sick, and the advisory stays in place until the county lifts it.
San Diego County health officials have closed the ocean water at Coronado City Beaches, Silver Strand State Beach, Imperial Beach Municipal Beach, and 2 more beaches to swimming, surfing, and diving. Counties close the water when sewage or another immediate health hazard reaches it, which is a stronger step than a bacteria advisory. The closure stays in place until the county lifts it.
Olive ridley turtle eggs moved to Aquarium of the PacificHeads-up · Orange County · Until Nov 15, 11:59 PM
Point Mugu Beach is running unusually clearGood news · Ventura County · Until Oct 28, 6:12 AM
Goleta Beach is running unusually clearGood news · Santa Barbara · Until Oct 28, 6:12 AMCoronado Islands is running unusually clearGood news · San Diego · Until Oct 28, 6:12 AM
Santa Monica is running unusually clearGood news · Los Angeles County · Until Oct 28, 6:12 AM
Corona del Mar State Beach is running unusually clearGood news · Orange County · Until Oct 28, 6:12 AM
More than 30 orcas take down a fin whale off San DiegoGood news · San Diego · Until Oct 28, 11:59 PM
Rescuers free an entangled humpback off San ClementeGood news · Orange County · Until Oct 27, 11:59 PM
