Huntington Beach flooding: 114 structures damaged as king tides subside

Huntington Beach officials confirmed on Thursday that 114 homes and structures sustained water damage during this week's extreme high tides. The seawater levels rose above eight feet, inundating low-lying sections of the town. Six additional homes received yellow tags, which restrict access to the properties due to safety concerns.

The flooding triggered a structure fire after saltwater came into contact with a lithium-ion battery. City spokesperson Jessica Cuchilla noted that while streets remained flooded on Thursday, no new homes were damaged. She observed that water covered the edges of Pacific Coast Highway on both sides, a marked decrease from the previous day when the entire street was submerged.

Pacific Coast Highway is scheduled to reopen on Friday with no restrictions. The city activated a mobile command post and deployed emergency response resources to areas predicted to be impacted, including Sunset Beach and Huntington Harbour. Outside agencies assisted with the response over the three days of flooding. Officials thanked the community for its patience and cooperation during the event.

City leaders acknowledged that high tides created hazards that persisted even after the water receded. They emphasized that the community must remain prepared for future events. Predictions indicate that late-November king tides could be higher than this week's levels. Residents in low-lying coastal areas are advised to begin preparing now.

Officials specifically warned about lithium-ion batteries that may have been exposed to saltwater. These batteries can pose a serious fire hazard even after they appear dry. Residents are instructed not to charge or operate equipment that may have been damaged by flooding. The City Council will meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, to ratify a local emergency declaration. This action could allow the city to pursue reimbursement for the unexpected costs of dealing with the flooding.