Powerful Surf Batters Dana Point Homes as Southern California Coastline Takes a Hit

Days of powerful surf battered Southern California’s exposed coastline, damaging beachfront properties in Dana Point and threatening homes from Long Beach to Malibu. In Dana Point, ocean-facing decks and other structures were damaged, while roughly a dozen homes were red-tagged and deemed uninhabitable as large waves pushed farther inland.

Key takeaways

• Powerful waves damaged beachfront homes and coastal structures in Dana Point.
• About a dozen Dana Point homes were red-tagged and considered uninhabitable.
• Around 20 homes along Long Beach’s boardwalk were evacuated.
• Tropical Storm Marie, elevated tides and heavy rain contributed to the dangerous conditions.
• Forecasters warned of large breaking waves, strong currents and coastal flooding.

Dana Point homes suffer extensive damage

Video captured Tuesday morning showed damage to ocean-facing decks and other structures in a Dana Point coastal neighborhood. The repeated pounding of waves left multiple residences unsafe, prompting officials to place red tags on about a dozen homes.

The damage underscored the vulnerability of properties built close to the shoreline, where high surf and rising tides can quickly overwhelm coastal defenses and expose foundations, decks and lower-level structures to powerful wave action.

Dangerous conditions spread along the coast

Dana Point was not the only community affected. Large waves also caused damage or flooding concerns in Long Beach, Malibu and other coastal areas. Along the Long Beach boardwalk, about 20 homes were evacuated as residents worked to protect their properties.

Homeowners used sandbags, boarded windows and took other emergency measures as waves threatened to send seawater into residences. The combination of breaking surf and high tides made conditions especially hazardous in low-lying neighborhoods.

Tropical storm and high tides fuel the swell

The hazardous surf was linked in part to the distant effects of Tropical Storm Marie, which was located hundreds of miles off the California coast. The storm generated a swell that reached Southern California, while rainfall from Sunday into Monday added to the region’s coastal impacts.

An elevated evening high tide allowed waves to travel farther inland than usual. Tides were expected to rise above 7 feet early in the week, increasing the potential for flooding and additional damage.

Advisories remain in effect

A high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory were issued for portions of the Los Angeles and Orange County coasts through Tuesday night. Forecast wave heights ranged from 6 to 10 feet on south- and southwest-facing beaches and from 4 to 7 feet on west-facing beaches.

Officials also warned of strong rip currents and longshore currents. Even where no structural damage occurred, the conditions posed a serious danger to swimmers, surfers and people near rocks, jetties or exposed seawalls.

• Powerful surf damages beachfront homes in Dana Point – NBC Los Angeles, NBC Los Angeles.
• High surf damages homes on Dana Point coast – NBC Los Angeles, NBC Los Angeles.