Coastal cities ready berms, sandbags as storm and high surf approach

Authorities in coastal cities warned residents to brace for a winter storm expected to lash the region with strong winds, big surf and rain into the weekend.

A high-surf advisory will be in effect for Orange County through late Saturday, the National Weather Service said. Gusts of up to 35 mph are expected Thursday night as the storm begins.

The surf is expected to culminate Friday and early Saturday with 7- to 10-foot waves and sets up to 14 feet.

Newport-Mesa officials are preparing for an upcoming winter storm Friday with sandbags and other preventive methods.

In Newport Beach, city crews have increased the berm near Balboa Pier from Palm Street to B Street, said city spokeswoman Mary Locey, although damage from high tides is not expected this time around. City staff will continue to monitor conditions, she said.

Newport residents with photo identification may get sandbags from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the city corporation yard, 592 Superior Ave.

As they did during last week’s rains, Costa Mesa officials are making free sandbags available at the Placentia fire station, 2300 Placentia Ave.

Emergency crews will be on standby to deal with flooding, broken traffic lights and other problems.

Lt. Mike Beuerlein of the Huntington Beach Fire Department’s marine safety division said the highest tide this week is predicted Thursday morning at 4.7 feet, followed by heavy rain later that day.

He cautioned residents to stay out of the water and to watch for coastal flooding.

Joe Bailey, Seal Beach chief of marine safety, said the expected conditions could cause storm water to pool around beachfront homes on Seal Way.

“This one really has the combination of high surf, rain and high winds, so we’re making sure we get out the message to residents,” Bailey said.

Ahead of the storm, volunteers and employees distributed storm advisories to residents on Seal Way, Bailey said.

The area flooded in August when a large swell generated by Hurricane Marie sent water into about 30 homes south of the Seal Beach Pier toward 14th Street.

Bailey said workers were out this week checking storm drain catch basins and making sure sand berms along the beachfront are intact.

Seal Beach residents can bring their own shovels and fill sandbags at Fire Station 44 at 718 Central Ave. and the lifeguard headquarters at 888 Ocean Ave.

The storm is expected to be one of the biggest winter storms to hit the Bay Area in the past 10 years, according to the National Weather Service, but will be less fierce in Southern California.

Moderate to heavy rain could last up to six hours and is expected to bring rising surf, strong rip currents and beach erosion. By Friday morning, most of the heavy rain is expected to diminish.

--Joseph Serna and Veronica Rocha contributed to this report