Story perspectives

Record tide flooding triggers California local emergency declarations

By Drooid · Oct 31, 2026 · How we work

Read the story

Story summary

Summary

U.S. emergency officials declared local emergencies as record-high tides flooded California coastal communities.
National Weather Service recorded a 2.60 m (8.52 ft) water level at San Diego on Oct 27, a station record.
Huntington Beach City Manager Travis Hopkins proclaimed an emergency on Oct 26, extending through Oct 29.
Crews distributed sandbags, built berms and deployed pumps to protect Huntington Harbor and Sunset Beach.

Summary

114 homes and structures were damaged, and six received yellow-tag safety restrictions.
A lithium-ion battery ignited after saltwater exposure, causing a fire in a flooded building.
The city issued 21 violation notices and two $200 citations to homeowners who ignored flood-prevention measures.
Over 20,000 sandbags were distributed, with additional supplies remaining for residents.
Approximately 50 public-safety personnel and 28 public-works workers were deployed around the clock.

History

In late December 1996 through early January 1997, an atmospheric-river storm and rapid snowmelt triggered the California New Year’s floods, displacing over 120,000 people, declaring 48 counties disaster areas, and causing more than $2 billion in damage; the Merced River surged to 10,100 cfs in Yosemite. The event spurred the California Department of Water Resources to adopt Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations and LIDAR snowpack monitoring, shaping current flood-risk policies.

1 of 3

In late December 1996 through early January 1997, an atmospheric-river storm and rapid snowmelt triggered the California New Year’s floods, displacing over 120,000 people, declaring 48 counties disaster areas, and causing more than $2 billion in damage; the Merced River surged to 10,100 cfs in Yosemite. The event spurred the California Department of Water Resources to adopt Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations and LIDAR snowpack monitoring, shaping current flood-risk policies.

1 / 3