California Coast Faces Record Tides and Kayak Commutes as El Niño Intensifies

Key points

• Historic high tides caused widespread flooding across California, submerging streets, homes, and businesses from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area.
• In Marin County, residents used kayaks and paddleboards to navigate flooded thoroughfares, while drivers were rescued from floating vehicles and cyclists found themselves waist-deep in water.
• Tide levels exceeded 8 feet near Los Angeles and San Diego, with San Francisco recording its highest October reading on Wednesday, breaking a record set the previous day.
• The National Weather Service issued flood advisories and warnings, predicting significant coastal flooding through Thursday in San Diego and Orange counties, with moderate risks extending into the weekend in Los Angeles.
• Los Angeles has already logged 12 coastal flood days in 2026, outpacing any year in the last 50 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• Climate scientist Daniel Swain warned that current conditions are a precursor to more disruptive events, as a strengthening El Niño and Kelvin waves could raise tides several feet above current levels.

Background

This event follows a series of record-breaking high tides in late October 2026, which were driven by a strong El Niño, a marine heatwave, and astronomical tidal cycles. Previous reports indicated that Los Angeles Harbor and Newport Beach had already set new records, with Newport Beach reaching 8.4 feet, a level not seen since the 1920s. The Pacific Coast Highway was closed in Huntington Beach, and businesses in Sunset Beach and Newport Beach suffered significant water damage. Experts had warned that conditions could worsen in November and December if these tides coincided with winter storms.

Why it matters

The current flooding highlights the increasing vulnerability of California's coastal infrastructure to climate change and extreme weather events. The record-breaking tides, driven by a combination of El Niño, marine heatwaves, and astronomical cycles, are expected to worsen as the year progresses. The potential for up to 5 feet of sea level rise above average during future 'king tides' poses a significant threat to coastal communities, businesses, and critical infrastructure. The 30-40% chance of these factors aligning this winter underscores the need for preparedness and adaptation measures to mitigate the impact of future flooding events.

What to watch

The National Weather Service expects significant coastal flooding through Thursday in San Diego and Orange counties, with moderate flood risks extending into the weekend in Los Angeles. Shoreline erosion is expected across the California coast. Experts warn that the worst flooding may be to come as severe impacts from an exceptionally strong and still-strengthening El Niño unfold in the months ahead. 'King tides' are expected around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and early January, which could add an additional foot or two to already elevated water levels, potentially creating up to 5 feet of sea level rise above average. There is a 30-40% chance that all these factors will align this winter, potentially more than once, leading to disastrous flooding if a strong storm coincides with high tides.