Dangerous Surf and Coastal Flooding Hit Los Angeles County Beaches

Key Takeaways:

• Hurricane Marie remnants bring heavy rain and dangerous surf to Southern California.
• Coastal flooding reported in Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Zuma Beach.
• High surf and coastal flood advisories issued until Tuesday evening.
• Maria downgraded to tropical cyclone; Malibu beaches close due to lightning and flooding.
• Widespread road crashes, downed trees, and power outages reported across the region.

Remnants of Hurricane Marie, now downgraded to a tropical cyclone following its Sunday night passage while tracking northwest well offshore, are impacting the California coast this Labor Day weekend, bringing intermittent rainfall, dangerous rip currents, and significant coastal flooding. National Weather Service officials have warned residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution near the water as large swells continue to pound vulnerable shorelines.

Rain and Swell Impact Coastal Communities

Aerial footage from local news crews showed residents using shovels to fill sandbags, working diligently to protect beachfront homes from waves crashing against a flood wall. The impact was especially pronounced in Long Beach’s Peninsula neighborhood, where high surf and heavy rain flooded approximately a dozen garages and several homes. Authorities reported that one residence sustained severe enough damage to require structural inspections. Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Jack Crabtree noted that firefighters and Public Works employees assisted locals with sandbagging and worked to reinforce protective sand berms that had been quickly eroded by the ocean swell. The powerful currents also pushed the city’s AquaLink water taxi into the Alamitos Jetty, requiring firefighter intervention to safely return it to the dock. While lifeguards managed crowd evacuations along the boardwalk as waters rose rapidly, they also assisted three surfers back to shore during the hazardous conditions. Officials emphasize that an exceptionally strong El Niño this year provides a clear preview of how rising sea levels may increasingly threaten vulnerable coastal communities. In Long Beach, eight-foot protective berms were completely washed away, and the force of the waves splintered sections of the wooden boardwalk. At 67th Place and Ocean Boulevard, sand clogged storm drains, prompting residents and city workers to deploy portable pumps to move standing water into the sewer system. City crews in Seal Beach have been actively pumping floodwater back toward the ocean to prevent further damage to beachfront properties. Due to the rapid water accumulation, authorities temporarily closed two parking lots in Seal Beach to ensure public safety. Similar conditions were observed at Zuma Beach, where rising waters flowed into streets and nearby homes.

Local residents reported severe impacts, including power shortages and structural damage. Long Beach resident Cole Hill told ABC-7 news that electrical hazards forced crews to shut off power in affected areas, while floodwaters ripped tiles off floors and displaced furniture.

Rainfall measurements confirm the widespread nature of the system, with 48-hour accumulations reaching 1.42 inches in Beverly Hills and 1.25 inches in Culver City. Historic rainfall totals were also recorded, with the Long Beach Airport measuring 0.68 inches, which shattered the previous record of 0.12 inches set on September 6, 1971. Additional totals include Mount Wilson at 1.08 inches, Hollywood Reservoir at 1.05 inches, Hansen Dam at 1.00 inch, Los Angeles City College at 0.95 inches, Canoga Park at 0.94 inches, Thousand Oaks at 0.82 inches over a 24-hour period, Central Los Angeles at 0.76 inches, and East Pasadena at 0.64 inches. Steady precipitation tapered off by early Monday morning, leaving scattered showers that are expected to clear later in the day ahead of a hot and humid week.

Dangerous Conditions at Popular Beaches

The combination of high astronomical tides and a growing southerly swell is creating hazardous marine environments. Forecasters expect breaking waves to reach six to ten feet at south-facing beaches and four to seven feet at west-facing shores. In Malibu, Pacific Coast Highway drivers faced massive waves crashing over roadways, while several beaches were temporarily closed due to lightning threats and severe flooding. Strong rip currents and longshore currents add to the danger, prompting safety officials to urge inexperienced swimmers to stay out of the water entirely.

With huge crowds expected at the beaches for the Labor Day holiday, the emphasis for these statements is to alert the public to be extra careful in and near the ocean.

Meteorologists emphasize the unpredictable nature of the surf. David Gomberg, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Los Angeles-Oxnard, warned that waves often appear moderate initially before suddenly surging into dangerous heights. He highlighted the severity of the currents, noting, "The extremely strong rip currents, over the last couple days, have been numerous and frequent in terms of severity. That is really dangerous, which is why we use the headline 'potentially life-threatening rip currents.'"

Local California Context

Los Angeles County faces heightened risks due to recent wildfires. A flood advisory remains active for parts of the county, particularly around the Franklin and Palisades burn scars, where saturated soil increases landslide and debris flow potential. Additionally, the storm triggered dozens of traffic crashes on slick roads, downed trees, and localized power outages across the region. Roads may become exceptionally slick due to summer oils washing off pavement. Local transit agencies are also responding to infrastructure stress, with Metrolink conducting emergency track stabilization in San Clemente to secure rail lines against shifting sand and wave action.

Weather forecasts indicate a rapid transition, with extreme heat and oppressive humidity expected to replace the recent storms. A big jump in temperature is anticipated by Tuesday, with highs of 96 to 98 degrees in Downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach, and communities farther inland expecting temperatures to exceed 105 degrees. Nighttime lows will struggle to drop below the mid-70s across the Los Angeles Basin, offering little relief. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Wednesday and Thursday, with officials monitoring conditions closely. Lead meteorologist David Gomberg cautioned that lingering moisture combined with rising temperatures will create added heat stress, advising residents to drink plenty of fluids, remain in air-conditioned spaces, and check on vulnerable neighbors. If cloud cover fails to materialize, Wednesday could bring particularly dangerous heat levels.

Background

California frequently experiences atmospheric river events and tropical moisture influxes during late summer and early fall. While typically associated with winter storms, systems like Hurricane Marie demonstrate how Pacific weather patterns can shift rapidly to deliver heavy precipitation and energetic surf well into September. These events often test coastal defenses and highlight the vulnerability of developed shoreline areas to natural forces.

Conclusion

Residents and tourists should monitor local weather updates closely and heed all official advisories throughout the week. A High Surf Advisory remains in effect through 11 p.m. Tuesday. High tide levels are tracking above predictions, reaching 6.7 feet on Sunday, surging to 7 feet Monday evening, and peaking at 7.2 feet Tuesday. As meteorologists note, even this slight increase in water level significantly determines how far inland flooding can push, maintaining a moderate risk of coastal flooding until conditions gradually improve. Planning alternative indoor activities for the remainder of the holiday weekend is strongly recommended to ensure personal safety.