Wet, dangerous weather on the way

Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT-MESA -- The heavy black clouds looming overhead forebode more

than a few mild showers and little puddles.

Local public safety officials say they are taking every step to ensure

flooded streets and high surf caused by the potentially serious winter

storm do not disrupt normal life.

A flood watch is in effect in all of Orange County’s coastal areas,

including Newport Beach, said Miguel Miller, forecaster for the National

Weather Service in San Diego.

The Newport-Mesa area is expected to get 1 1/2 to 2 inches of rain

between Wednesday night and noon Friday, with winds blowing at 20 to 30

mph. Higher gusts are possible.

Adding to the trouble, waves could rise from 4 to 6 feet Wednesday

night and get up to 13 feet today, he said.

“This is a pretty serious storm,” he said. “Some places are definitely

going to experience severe flooding.”

The Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department is “well-prepared” to

face the storm, Capt. John Blauer said.

“We have everybody ready,” he said Wednesday. “Currently, we don’t see

the need for extra people, but that might change depending on the

situation.”

Newport Beach has received two high tide alerts, one for 9:51 a.m.

today and another for 10 a.m. Friday, Blauer said.

“When there is a combination of high tide, surf and rain, we’re most

concerned,” he said.

Several lifeguards will be on duty throughout this week, Blauer said.

Some were planning to be at their posts all night Wednesday and will do

so again tonight as a precautionary measure.

The Newport Beach Police Department will work closely with the city to

ensure they keep each other informed in case there is an emergency, Sgt.

Steve Shulman said.

“We’re prepared to take care of problem areas and geared to handle

traffic control,” he said. “We’re also working with the city’s General

Services Department to get signs and barricades if necessary.”

There will probably not be any flight cancellations in John Wayne

Airport, spokeswoman Ann McCarley said.

“The only reason why they would be canceled is if there is fog,” she

said. “Right now, our maintenance crew is working to make sure our

runways are clean.”

What should the rest of us watch out for?

“Take it easy on the roads,” Miller said. “And don’t drive into

puddles you can’t see the bottom of.”