Orange County coastal flooding · October 2026
The tide is running higher than the forecast.
King tides and ocean swell have flooded the Balboa Peninsula and Long Beach streets this month. OC Flood Protection installs and deploys barriers at homes and businesses before the next high water arrives.
8.5 ft
Forecast high tide, Tuesday Oct 27
7.0 ft
Above this, low streets can flood on a dry day
Forecasters said tides ran 1 to 1.7 feet above astronomical predictions along the Orange County coast. Sources listed at the bottom of the page.
Get your free flood risk assessment
Tell us where the property is. We look at elevation, doors, garage openings and seawall gaps, then recommend a barrier plan.
What has happened so far
Three flood events in three weeks
Neighborhoods that stayed dry for years are now flooding repeatedly. City crews are building sand berms and placing sandbags, and residents are adding their own protection.
Oct 9
Ocean water floods the Balboa Peninsula
Streets went underwater, vehicles were stranded, and homes and businesses were damaged in Newport Beach.
Oct 19
Newport Beach declares a second local emergency
It was the city's second emergency declaration in 11 days, ahead of another round of king tides.
Oct 26 – 29
Coastal flood warning for the entire Orange County coast
Tides ran well above predictions. The Balboa Fun Zone flooded despite sandbags, and homes in Long Beach have been red-tagged after flooding and surf damage. Metrolink suspended service south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo.
Why it floods
A street can flood on a sunny day
King tides are the highest tides of the year. They happen a few times a year when the moon and sun line up. When ocean levels also run above the predicted tide, water comes over low seawalls and bulkheads and into streets with no rain at all. Officials call this dry-weather flooding.
One barrier at one door will not fix a street. It will keep water out of your garage, your entry and your ground floor.
Areas most exposed
Where we work
Newport Beach identified these as the areas most susceptible to flooding during king tides. We also serve the rest of the coast.
What we do
We put barriers where the water will arrive
Four services, one crew. You can book an install before the next tide series or call us when water is already coming.
Pre-event barrier installation
We assess the property, then set up barriers, door protection and sandbag lines ahead of king tides and storms so you are not scrambling the night before.
On-call emergency deployment
When a flood warning is issued and your property is exposed, our crew deploys barriers on site. Ask about priority response when you book your assessment.
Door and garage barriers
Entry doors and garage openings are where water gets in first. We fit barriers to the opening and show you how to place them again.
Sandbags and supplies
Filled and delivered sandbags, plus loose supplies for owners who want to deploy their own barrier before a tide event.
Equipment on the truck
Deployable barriers, sandbags and door protection
We source commercial-grade barrier products and match them to the opening they have to hold.
Quick Dam barrier
Flat until wet, then swells to a 3½-inch barrier in about 10 minutes. Stacks into a wall.
17 ft · absorbs 14 gal
Barriers in a bucket
Compact kit for doorways and garages. Easy to store and carry to the opening.
10 ft · absorbs 8 gal
Sandbags
Woven polypropylene that resists punctures and tears. Built-in ties and UV protection for outdoor use.
10 × 14 in · 1,600 hr UV
Door and garage barriers
Removable barriers fitted to your entry or garage opening.
Sized on site
Product photos from Uline. Quick Dam is a trademark of its owner. OC Flood Protection is not affiliated with Uline. Uline.
Match the barrier to the water
Harbor water and rain water need different barriers
Absorbent barriers work by soaking up fresh water. Manufacturers say not to use them with salt water, so we do not rely on them for tides.
Sand-filled bags and door barriers
For king tides, surge and swell, we build with filled sandbags and fitted door and garage barriers that block the opening instead of absorbing water.
Absorbent Quick Dam barriers
For rain and runoff at garages, entries and ramps, self-expanding barriers go down fast and need no sand.
How it works
From assessment to a dry entry
Step 1
Free assessment
Send your address. We review the property, its openings and its exposure to harbor and street water.
Step 2
Barrier plan
You get a written plan that names the barriers, where they go and how long setup takes.
Step 3
Install and deploy
We install ahead of the tide series and deploy again when a coastal flood warning is issued for your area.
Questions
Before you call
No. Barriers reduce and delay water at the openings they protect. Deep or fast-moving water can overtop or bypass any temporary barrier. If officials order an evacuation, follow it.
The next king tide is not waiting.
Request your free assessment and we will call you to plan the barriers your property needs.