Keep Newport Prepared: What the October King Tides Showed on the Balboa Peninsula

Published October 22, 2026

Keep Newport Prepared graphic with a portrait and an aerial view of coastal flooding.

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NEWPORT BEACH | SURF & COAST | OCTOBER 22, 2026

Updated Originally published Oct 22, 2026 · Updated Nov 7, 2026

What changed: On November 4, 2026, Newport Beach warned that king tides expected November 23–27 could produce ocean levels at least 12 inches higher than October’s record-breaking 8.4-foot high tide, increasing coastal-flooding risks even for some properties that were not flooded in October. The City Council also scheduled a November 10 study session on flood protection, public safety and emergency-response plans. How we keep stories current →

A video sent to The Balboa Local shows a person described as a Newport Harbor commissioner standing next to a harbor wall and a water-level gauge. We haven’t independently verified it, and no city source identifies who it is. But the picture says plenty: the water, the wall and the gauge, all a little too close together.

How October went

On Oct. 9, seawater flooded peninsula streets and threatened homes. The city declared a local emergency, reinforced beaches and handed out sandbags. City Manager Seimone Jurjis named protecting private property and keeping emergency access open as priorities.

At the Oct. 13 council meeting, Public Works Director Dave Webb said the city had done its normal beach prep, but the storm brought a mix of conditions officials didn’t expect. Voice of OC reported water levels nearly two feet higher than forecast.

One local summed it up for the council: “I can only fill up so many sand bags.”

Round two

Before the Oct. 26–28 king tides, the council declared another emergency and opened the Emergency Operations Center. The city said crews were reinforcing berms, checking storm drains, prepping tide valves and pumps, and staging sandbags and equipment. It also said ocean levels were running about 18 to 22 inches above predicted tides. That’s a lot when your living room sits at street level.

The city closed Newport Pier, Balboa Pier, the Wedge and the Balboa Pier parking lot for high surf and tides. Later it reopened the piers and the Wedge, with the parking lot coming back in phases.

What the system can do

The city runs 86 tidal valves and 18 pumps. It also warns those systems have limits, especially when high tides and heavy rain show up together.

That’s why prep can’t just mean “go fill sandbags.” Locals need early warnings, clear instructions and an honest list of which streets are still exposed.

The ocean’s unpredictable. City Hall’s communication shouldn’t be.