Story perspectives

Long Beach Makes 177 Rescues as Hurricane Marie Brings Surf

9/7/2026

Summary

Hurricane Marie Sparks Danger

Hurricane Marie produced 5-10-foot waves that created dangerous surf and rip currents along Southern California beaches.
The National Weather Service issued high-surf and coastal-flood advisories for Los Angeles and Orange County through Tuesday.
Minor flooding covered Seal Beach Pier parking and entered streets near Long Beach homes.
Mayor Karen Bass said city agencies are coordinating emergency response as thunderstorms have a 5%-15% chance.

Summary

Residents Deploy Sandbags

Residents along Long Beach’s 66th Street deployed sandbags to divert rising floodwaters.
Lifeguard battalion chief Adam Yacenda reported 177 rescues on Saturday.
Seal Beach crews used heavy equipment to build temporary barriers protecting low-lying neighborhoods.
Long Beach health officer issued a three-day swim advisory because runoff contaminated the water.
Alamitos Beach swimmers described the towering surf as exhilarating despite safety warnings.

History

Historical Context

During the 1938 Los Angeles flood, the Army Corps of Engineers began channelizing rivers, a response echoed when an El Niño storm in February 1998 flooded San Francisquito Creek, damaging 1,100 homes and causing $28–40 million in losses. Today, Hurricane Marie’s high waves drive emergency response that relies on those same Corps-built flood controls for protecting coastal communities.

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Hurricane Marie Sparks Danger

Hurricane Marie produced 5-10-foot waves that created dangerous surf and rip currents along Southern California beaches.
The National Weather Service issued high-surf and coastal-flood advisories for Los Angeles and Orange County through Tuesday.
Minor flooding covered Seal Beach Pier parking and entered streets near Long Beach homes.
Mayor Karen Bass said city agencies are coordinating emergency response as thunderstorms have a 5%-15% chance.

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