SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Powerful waves are transforming stretches of Southern California’s coastline, eating away beaches, damaging infrastructure and putting oceanfront homes at increasing risk as communities prepare for potentially stronger winter storms.
The latest wave of erosion intensified after swells from former Hurricane Marie began pulling large amounts of sand away from beaches around Sept. 2.
Laguna Beach has been among the communities dealing with the most visible damage. City officials declared a local emergency Thursday because of continued sand loss and coastal erosion, particularly around Lagunita Beach, Pearl Street Beach and Christmas Cove.
At Aliso Beach, the ocean has already consumed much of the beach and damaged a portion of the parking lot.
The city said the emergency declaration will allow officials to move more quickly on shoreline protection, sand replacement, debris removal and repairs without going through the usual contracting process.
“If you’ve been to the beach in the last week, you have seen it. Swell from Hurricane Marie pulled a significant amount of sand off our beaches starting September 2, and the erosion is still happening,” the city said.
Oceanfront Homes Damaged by Erosion
The effects are now reaching private properties.
Six oceanfront homes along Ocean Way and Lagunita Drive were yellow-tagged after their seawalls were compromised.
A yellow tag indicates that a property has potentially unsafe conditions and restricts access, although it does not completely prohibit people from entering.
Laguna Beach officials said they are seeking additional funding and regulatory flexibility to carry out more effective shoreline protection and repairs.
The city’s emergency declaration follows similar action in Long Beach and Dana Point, where coastal erosion and powerful surf have also caused significant problems.
Officials are now facing the challenge of protecting homes and infrastructure while the coastline continues to lose sand.
Long Beach Residents Forced to Evacuate
Farther north, Long Beach residents have also been dealing with dangerous coastal conditions.
Long Beach firefighters went door to door Monday to notify residents of roughly 20 homes that they needed to evacuate after a seawall was compromised.
Seawater and sand entered several homes as waves continued to erode protective berms along the shoreline.
The powerful surf also damaged sections of the boardwalk, adding to concerns about the condition of coastal infrastructure.
The situation in Dana Point has been similarly serious.
According to NBC Los Angeles, eight homes were red-tagged and seven were yellow-tagged after high surf and unusually high tides damaged properties along Beach Road.
Malibu Sinkhole Adds to Coastal Threat
In Malibu, erosion has created another major hazard.
Thirty-one properties were placed under evacuation orders Tuesday after powerful waves and coastal erosion contributed to a sinkhole outside a home owned by actor Nicolas Cage.
The sinkhole expanded to approximately 30 feet deep and 60 feet wide, damaging the roadway and restricting access for emergency vehicles.
Seven properties were declared unsafe because of the sinkhole, while another 24 lost safe vehicle access.
The incident highlights how coastal erosion can affect more than beaches and homes. Roads, emergency access routes and other critical infrastructure can also become vulnerable when the shoreline changes rapidly.
Coastal Rail Service Also Disrupted
The erosion has even affected rail travel along the Southern California coast. In San Clemente, waves washed over railroad tracks and damaged protective rock along the coastal rail corridor.
Metrolink, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and freight rail service were affected as crews carried out emergency stabilization work.
The disruption demonstrates how the ongoing coastal damage is spreading beyond individual properties and beaches, creating challenges for transportation and public infrastructure.
Stronger Winter Waves Could Bring More Damage
With a potentially strong El Niño expected to influence conditions heading into winter, coastal officials are preparing for the possibility of additional powerful storms and larger waves.
The current erosion has already removed significant amounts of sand from several beaches, leaving some seawalls and properties more exposed to incoming surf.
Southern California officials are urging residents living near the coast to inspect seawalls and complete necessary repairs now rather than waiting for another major round of waves.
What do you think about the worsening beach erosion across Southern California? Do you think coastal communities should take stronger measures to protect homes and infrastructure? Share your thoughts in the comments.