Another El Niño soaking leads to some beach and pier closures
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The latest in a series of El Niño-fueled storms rolled through Orange County on Wednesday, bringing downpours, strong winds, thunder and lightning that temporarily closed some local beaches and piers.
Heavy rains have dumped more than an inch and a half on some areas of the county since Tuesday morning, and forecasters don’t expect the wet weather to let up soon.
On Tuesday, the first significant storm of the year dropped more than an inch of rain on Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Irvine. By Thursday morning, measurements taken by Orange County Public Works showed a three-day total of 2.20 inches in Costa Mesa, 2.28 inches in Irvine and 1.69 inches in Newport Beach.
Lightning forced the closure of Newport beaches and piers shortly after noon Wednesday. They reopened in the early afternoon, about 30 minutes after the last visible bolt of lightning, officials said.
Forecasters say Thursday will bring more rain and possibly thunderstorms.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory Wednesday calling for homeowners in coastal areas to secure outdoor furniture in preparation for winds that reached up to 25 mph in the afternoon, with gusts up to 50 mph.
The winds are expected to calm by Thursday morning, with speeds ranging from 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday’s heavy rain contributed to crashes and traffic slowdowns throughout the county, but cities were spared significant damage. Cars crept through large pools of water on MacArthur Boulevard near Bristol Street in Costa Mesa in the early afternoon, clogging traffic and resulting in delays.
The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning in anticipation of heavy rainfall that is expected to last until Thursday morning.
“Periods of heavy rain will continue a threat of flash flooding ... mudslides … and debris flows to recently burned areas,” according to a weather service statement. “Minor flooding of small streams and low water crossings will also be possible.”
Newport Beach city crews were busy along the beach putting up berms to keep water from heading inland in preparation for possibly violent surf stemming from the Pacific storms.
Large westerly swells with the potential to damage beach structures like piers were expected to roll in Wednesday night and last through Friday morning.
Local beaches have seen surf ranging from 5 to 8 feet since Monday, but the larger swell is expected to bring waves of 7 to 11 feet. Some areas could see waves as large as 14 feet, according to the weather service.
The highest sets are expected to occur in areas north of Newport Beach.
The storms are the year’s first attributed to the effects of El Niño, a warming of the equatorial waters of the Pacific that can result in heavy rain in California. Such storms are expected to peak in January, February and March.
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Where to find sandbags
Newport Beach: Residents may pick up 10 empty sandbags at no cost at the city corporation yard, 592 Superior Ave. Proof of Newport Beach residency is needed to obtain the bags, which can be filled with beach sand to help protect homes against flooding.
Costa Mesa: Each resident maypick up 15 free sandbags at Fire Station 4, 2300 Placentia Ave., as well as at the City Hall parking lot, 77 Fair Drive, and the Donald Dungan Library parking lot, 1855 Park Ave.
Irvine: Residents can pick up 10 free filled sandbags at the city’s operations support facility, 6427 Oak Canyon Road. The Orange County Fire Authority also has sand and bags available at Station 36, 301 E. Yale Loop, and Station 47 at 47 Fossil.
Laguna Beach: Residents and business owners can pick up 10 free filled sandbags at the Act V parking lot at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road, and the Aliso Beach Park inland parking lot at 31118 S. Coast Hwy. Free unfilled sandbags also are available at four fire stations: 501 Forest Ave., 2900 Alta Laguna Blvd., 285 Agate St. and 34646 Second Ave.
Huntington Beach: Residents who show identification and a current utility bill can get up to 20 free sandbags per household. The bags can be picked up between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the city corporate yard, 17371 Gothard St. Bags also are available at the Edison Community Center, 21377 Magnolia St., and the Warner fire station, 3831 Warner Ave.
