Hurricane Marie’s Swells Devastate SoCal Coast as El Niño Threatens Winter

Key points

• Hurricane Marie’s swells caused massive erosion and structural damage to the Long Beach Peninsula, including the historic wooden boardwalk and protective sand berms.
• At least 24 homes in Long Beach were evacuated, with 18 cleared for return by Wednesday; one home was yellow-tagged for limited access only.
• Damage extended to Dana Point, where seven homes were red-tagged as unsafe, and San Clemente, where high tides shut down the coastal railway.
• A sinkhole in Malibu near Nicolas Cage’s residence led to the evacuation of 31 homes and a local emergency declaration.
• Long Beach is preparing a $14.5 million dredging project to extend the beach by 260 feet, aiming to start in late October.

Background

Southern California experienced a week of extreme heat and humidity following Hurricane Marie’s passage, with temperatures 10–20 degrees above normal. Earlier forecasts warned of high surf and dangerous rip currents, which materialized into significant coastal flooding and infrastructure damage. The current events are part of a broader pattern involving a marine heat wave and a strengthening El Niño, which scientists predict will increase the frequency and intensity of such storms.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times emphasizes the long-term threat posed by a strengthening El Niño, quoting climate scientist Daniel Swain that coastal flooding will worsen this winter. The Long Beach Post focuses on the immediate aftermath, detailing the return of residents and the city’s urgent efforts to rebuild sand berms, noting that the current damage is comparable to storms in the 1930s or 1940s. FOX 11 highlights the political dimension, featuring gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton criticizing state leadership for inaction and calling for engineering-focused management to address coastal vulnerabilities. While the LA Times and Long Beach Post focus on the physical impact and future climate risks, FOX 11 frames the event as a failure of bureaucratic response.

Why it matters

The damage from Hurricane Marie serves as a critical warning for Southern California’s coastal infrastructure. As El Niño intensifies, cities face increased risks of flooding and erosion, necessitating immediate investment in protective measures like dredging and seawall reinforcement. The incident underscores the vulnerability of low-lying coastal communities to climate-driven storm surges and the urgent need for proactive infrastructure management to prevent further economic and residential losses.

What to watch

Long Beach officials are expected to finalize the contract for the $14.5 million dredging project, with construction potentially beginning in late October. Ventura County and Orange County are continuing to assess and strengthen vulnerable coastal locations and pump stations. Residents in Long Beach and other affected areas will monitor conditions for further high tides and waves, particularly during the evening hours, as the National Weather Service maintains advisories for beach hazards and flooding through at least Wednesday night.