8.5-foot tides threaten more flooding in O.C.

Thank you. Coastal communities are bracing for more high tides later this morning. A flood advisory remains in effect through Thursday. KTLA 5's Carlos Herrera live now from Newport Beach with more details. Carlos, good morning. Good morning, Chris and Megan. We're at 32nd Street and Newport Beach Boulevard. Enormous efforts by the city here this morning to protect property from those mega high tides expected in just a few hours. You see the sandbags here in place at the harbor, also that big pump Ready to go as well as they prepare for the round of high tides. They also have a gauge that's keeping track of those rising water levels just below six feet right now. We're expecting that to change rapidly here this morning. And those who live and work here in the area, they're well aware that this could be disastrous for them after yesterday's flooding. The big question for them is, will these preparations be enough? Balboa Village's fun zone wasn't much fun yesterday after a high tide sent several inches of water charging into small businesses despite sandbags meant to keep the water out. And it wasn't just a fun zone. Along Edgewater Avenue and Washington Street. Water rose to knee-high levels in some spots, threatening local businesses on the harbor side of the Balboa Peninsula. Near Newport Island, parts of 38th Street and River Avenue were also submerged under about a foot of water. City officials say yesterday's high tide reached 8.3 feet, significantly higher than predicted. And in some areas, the water came in from the harbor side. The Baboa Pharmacy has been fortunate enough to escape any flood damage so far. But employees there do not plan on taking any chances. They're getting ready for another round of flooding today. We started thinking about picking things up off the floor. Things are made of wood, you know obviously metal, things like that, that can't soak anything up, stay. But definitely want to keep an eye on some of our product there. But we're ready with the sandbags, so we'll be armed. I've lived here my whole life, and this is nuts. It's the highest tide I've seen. The city is bracing for an even higher tide this morning. Officials expect water levels could reach 8.5 feet, potentially making today's high tide even more challenging than yesterday's. Ocean conditions, including the effects of El Nino and a Kelvin wave, are contributing to water levels running higher than predicted. The city is urging residents to reinforce their flood defenses and move vehicles to higher ground if needed. Free pre-filled sandbags are available at the City Corporation Yard on Superior Avenue and other locations. While supplies last, we have a full list on our website, ktla.com. Now, this morning's high tide, Chris and Megan, as you come back out here live, is expected at around 9:40 this morning. So we'll see how that goes. We'll be here, of course, checking things out and speaking to residents, those who are impacted. But we know that this is only a taste of what's to come. Even higher tides are expected in this area later this year. We'll send it back to you guys. Carlos, thank you. High tides taking a toll on Long Beach, as well as the city braces for more flooding and possible damage today. A tidal surge pushed water into low-lying neighborhoods along the coast yesterday. It flooded streets, garages, and businesses from Belmont Shore to Naples. Crew spent the day building up berms and handing out sandbags while residents scrambled to clean up. The city says it's racing to shore up the hardest hit areas before the next round of high water with even bigger tides forecast for November. The city of Huntington Beach closing a portion of PCH today during high tide. The closure stretches from Warner Avenue and Anderson Street. It's going to run from 8 a.m. until noon. Officials say the closure will also allow city personnel, public safety officials, agencies, and Caltrans to respond safely to conditions and complete necessary needed work. All right, they say that you should also never drive through flooded roads. Driving through floodwaters puts you and first responders, they say, at risk.