High tides a little too high A...

High tides a little too high

A combination of ocean swells and unusually high tides brought

water levels up and over the beach late last week and into today. The

high waters caused a slight nuisance to area residents and prompted

several rescues because of high surf conditions, officials said.

Southern and western swells Friday night caused a strong ocean

force that brought tides up to unexpected levels at the beach at

Balboa Pier, Newport Beach Lifeguard Arn Van Dyke said.

Tides reached highs of more than 7 feet last week, but have

steadily diminished, Lifeguard Capt. John Blauer said.

No serious injuries or damage have been reported, but Blauer said

lifeguards have made several rescues because of high surf and riptide

conditions. Surf has been in the 4- to 8-foot range, Blauer said.

The high levels of water stayed out of most beachfront homes but

crept their way into some garages, giving homeowners an early morning

surprise, Van Dyke said. No serious damage was reported, but sand was

left in parking lots and on streets because of water levels.

“It was more a nuisance than anything,” Van Dyke said.