King tides and coastal flooding are battering Long Beach’s shoreline again

Long Beach residents dealing with unusually high “king tides” got a reminder that coastal flooding risk can show up even without a major storm. During mid-June, the National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for CAZ366 (Los Angeles County Beaches)—warning that low-lying parts of Long Beach were among the areas most likely to see sea-water flooding during high tide.

What “king tides” means (and why they can still matter)

“King tide” is a popular, non-scientific term people use for exceptionally high tides. NOAA explains that higher-than-normal tides typically occur when the moon is at or near perigee (its closest point to Earth) and during certain points in the lunar cycle—such as around a new or full moon—making the tide reach farther up the beach or into low-lying areas than many residents see on an everyday schedule.

The National Weather Service advisory for the Long Beach area

The NWS Coastal Flood Advisory for CAZ366 was issued at 1:37 p.m. PDT on Monday, June 15, 2026 and was in effect until 2:00 a.m. PDT on Wednesday, June 17.

NWS warned that the concern during the advisory period was “minor, but impactful coastal flooding.” It said flooding of sea water was likely around the time of high tide in vulnerable low-lying coastal areas such as parking lots, beaches, and walkways. NWS also flagged an increased risk of ocean drowning and dangerous surf conditions, including rip currents that can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea.

It added that coastal flooding concerns were expected to peak from around 8 p.m. through midnight Monday night and Tuesday night, tied to high astronomical tides in the advisory window.

What residents and crews reported on the ground

Local reporting during the mid-June king-tide period described waves crashing over sand and wooden berms as the highest tides slammed the shoreline overnight. NBC Los Angeles reported that when the tides receded, they left behind debris on the boardwalk and in some streets near the ocean—and that cleanup crews rebuilt berm sections that had been knocked down before dawn.

FOX 11 Los Angeles reported that crews worked to reinforce a protective sand berm along a stretch of Long Beach beachfront property, describing it as roughly 8 feet tall and nearly a mile long. FOX also reported residents criticizing temporary protections and calling for a longer-term, permanent solution, along with homeowners boarding up ahead of additional high tide.

Why the damage can keep coming back

Even when NWS describes flooding as “minor,” the mix of high tide + ocean conditions can quickly overwhelm shoreline protections—especially where barriers are temporary or have already been stressed during prior night cycles. NWS’s own advisory language focused on coastal flooding likelihood around high tide, including impacts in low-lying areas. And what residents saw on the ground—berms overtopping and debris left behind—illustrates how block-by-block impacts can develop as the water keeps returning.

How to stay ready for the next high-tide cycle

NWS’s precautionary guidance is the same kind of resident action plan that matters during future advisory windows: take necessary actions to protect flood-prone property; do NOT drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth; and remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions (or stay near occupied lifeguard towers). NWS also warned that rock jetties can be deadly in these conditions—so stay off the rocks.

For Long Beach, the practical takeaway is that the “king tide” label doesn’t replace basic coastal safety planning. When NWS updates coastal flood messaging for the CAZ366 area, residents near beaches, walkways, and coastal parking should treat the advisory window—especially the evening-to-late-night high-tide period—as the time to reduce exposure, follow posted closures, and plan around localized ponding and debris near the shoreline.

Sources

• National Weather Service (NWS) Coastal Flood Advisory — CAZ366 (Long Beach-area product page)
• NOAA National Ocean Service — What is a King Tide?
• NBC Los Angeles — King tides wash away berms; some Long Beach streets covered in mud
• FOX 11 Los Angeles — King tides/powerful surf threaten Long Beach homes; residents call for permanent solution