Forecasters with the National Weather Service (NWS) are alerting residents of southern California that Hurricane Polo will generate elevated surf and high tides along south‑facing beaches from Sunday through Tuesday. Expected wave heights range from four to seven feet, with a possible two‑foot variance as the storm’s track remains uncertain.
Coastal flooding risk and local preparations
High tides are projected to peak Monday and Tuesday at around seven feet—approximately one foot above normal astronomical tides—due in part to the ongoing El Niño pattern. The NWS described a “significant concern for coastal flooding” on vulnerable beaches, though the exact magnitude remains uncertain.
Areas identified as most at risk include Avalon, Long Beach and Malibu. Officials warn that low‑lying walkways, parking lots and roads could experience shallow seawater flooding, and that significant beach erosion is likely. In the worst‑case scenario, impacts could resemble those from Hurricane Marie earlier this month, which caused extensive damage to homes in Dana Point, Long Beach and Malibu.
Emergency alerts and sandbag distribution
Los Angeles Emergency Management issued an alert Friday urging residents to prepare for heightened drowning risk and strong rip currents that could pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is providing ready‑to‑fill sandbags at its stations and directing residents to its website for proper sandbag placement instructions.
In Long Beach, the Fire Department’s Marine Safety Division and the city’s Public Health Department are coordinating coastal preparations. The health department’s logistics team delivered pre‑filled sandbags on Saturday, and additional sandbags and sand are available at the Claremont Parking Lot (5400 E. Ocean Blvd.). The Long Beach Fire Department reports having handed out about 4,000 sandbags so far and will set up a mobile command post Monday morning.
Orange County issued a beach hazards statement through late Sunday and a coastal flood advisory lasting until Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Community response
Local residents are taking the warnings seriously. “You see a lot of homes boarded up and people evacuated,” said Ted Hollister, a Long Beach resident. Long Beach neighbors, still recovering from Hurricane Marie’s damage, have erected fences, wooden boards and sandbags along the boardwalk to protect their properties. City crews are also bringing in 3,000‑pound sandbags for shoreline defense.
“Now they know what to prepare for,” said Tammy McGraw of Long Beach. “I don’t know how much it’s going to work, but it will slow the damage down.”
Impact on Mexico and broader region
While the primary focus is on southern California, Polo is also threatening Mexico’s southern Baja California peninsula. The storm, with top sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and mudslides to the region. The Mexican navy has positioned personnel and humanitarian aid in the ports of Guaymas and Mazatlán and deployed three vessels to assist isolated coastal communities.
One of the towns in Polo’s projected path, San Juanico, a small fishing village, faces potential road washouts that could block access to its nearest medical facility. “Our people are concerned about this event,” said Gloriely Robles Meza, a hotel manager in San Juanico.
Looking ahead
After the storm passes, temperatures are expected to rise mid‑week, with highs in the mid‑to‑upper 90s anticipated in many valley areas beginning Wednesday. Residents are urged to stay informed through local emergency channels and to follow sandbag placement guidelines to mitigate flood risk.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
