High tides flood parts of Newport Beach and close northbound PCH in Huntington Beach

High tides pushed seawater into low-lying coastal areas of Orange County on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, flooding parts of Newport Beach and forcing closures on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, according to the Orange County Register. The flooding also affected the Balboa Ferry schedule as tide levels stayed elevated along the coast.

Flooding spreads along the coast

Water rose over coastal roads and nearby areas during the morning high tide, with the peak coming around 9:15 a.m., according to the report. The gauge reached 8.3 feet, which was about 2 feet higher than the predicted high tide.

The article said Newport Beach saw some flooding, while the Sunset Beach area also had water on PCH during the high tide. A photo with the story showed a stand-up paddle board rider moving through floodwater near the highway.

PCH closure in Huntington Beach

Northbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway were closed Monday morning between the Bolsa Chica State Beach entrance and Warner Avenue, according to the source. Later updates said the northbound closure would also affect the stretch from Warner Avenue to Anderson Street from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday.

The reporting linked the closures to water overflow near the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, where elevated tides sent water into areas close to the roadway. The article said the situation caused temporary traffic disruptions in the Huntington Beach area.

• Peak tide: around 9:15 a.m. Monday
• Recorded tide level: 8.3 feet
• PCH closure: northbound lanes between Bolsa Chica State Beach entrance and Warner Avenue
• Additional closure: Warner Avenue to Anderson Street, 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday
• Balboa Ferry: no car transport from 8 a.m. to noon in coming days

Why the tides are so high

According to the report, the high tides were being intensified by warm El Niño conditions and a Kelvin wave. Those ocean conditions were expected to keep tides high through the week.

The article also noted that San Pedro recorded an all-time high tide, showing how widespread the coastal surge was across Southern California.

What it means for residents

For people who live, work, or travel near the coast, the main impacts are road closures, ferry changes, and the chance of more flooding in low-lying neighborhoods and waterfront areas. The source said property damage remains a concern as tides stay elevated.

The report described this as part of a recurring pattern in Southern California, where extreme tides can regularly flood vulnerable stretches of coast and interrupt travel and daily routines.

Source: Laylan Connelly, Claire Wang, Erika I. Ritchie