Hurricane Marie Surf Damages Dana Point Homes, Red-Tagging 14 in Capistrano Beach

Waves Hit Dana Point

Powerful surf tied to tropical storm Hurricane Marie battered the Orange County coastline, and several oceanfront homes in Dana Point’s Capistrano Beach were red-tagged after sustaining extensive damage over the weekend. A Patch report said a representative for the Capistrano Bay District told ABC7 that at least 14 homes were damaged over Labor Day weekend, while the City of Dana Point said six homes were red tagged and two homes were yellow tagged as a result of the damage. The ABC7 Los Angeles report described damage along Beach Road in Dana Point’s Capistrano Beach, with residents warning conditions could worsen if protective measures were not in place before the next high tide expected around 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

ABC7 Los Angeles said officials brought in boulders to help protect homes from high tides and strong surf, but the district said the tide did not recede enough overnight for crews to place the boulders in front of the homes. In Long Beach, MyNewsLA reported that about 20 homes were evacuated along Seaside Walk from 63rd to 67th Place due to the seawall compromise and damage to the boardwalk, as the storm’s high surf continued into the week.

Reporting for this sectionPatchABC7 Los Angeles

Evacuations, Advisories, Rain

MyNewsLA reported that thunderstorms brought rain, thunder and lightning across parts of Los Angeles County, and it said lightning prompted Los Angeles County lifeguards to temporarily close beaches from Cabrillo Beach to Zuma Beach on Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday for a strong thunderstorm moving north through central Los Angeles County, and Doppler radar tracked the storm near Whittier at 9:20 a.m. moving north at about 15 mph.

MyNewsLA said forecasters warned of frequent lightning, pea-size hail and torrential rainfall that could cause localized flooding, while a high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory were in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday for portions of the Los Angeles County coast.

NBC Los Angeles said a high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory will be in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday for portions of the Los Angeles County and Orange County coasts, and it reported that large breaking waves of 6 to 10 feet were expected for south and southwestern-facing beaches.

The same NBC Los Angeles report said high tides were expected to exceed 7 feet, and it warned that strong and dangerous rip and longshore currents would accompany the surf.

Reporting for this sectionMyNewsLANBC Los Angeles

Gas Main, Tags, Next Tides

In Malibu, MyNewsLA reported that pounding surf undermined the driveway of a beachfront home and caused a gas main rupture Tuesday, and Los Angeles County Fire Department crews responded at about 5:45 a.m. to the 31600 block of Sea Level Drive East, near Point Lechuza.

MyNewsLA said the Southern California Gas Company was summoned to shut off the gas, and it described ocean water quality rain advisory for all county beaches until at least 2 p.m. Wednesday.

In Dana Point, Orange County Register reported that six beachfront homes were red-tagged because of damage from big waves and high tides, and it said two more had been yellow-tagged along the same stretch of Beach Road.

The Orange County Register also quoted city officials saying, "The city has been and remains in communication with the Capistrano Bay District community and is monitoring for damage," while it described an interim emergency work plan that included installation of a boulder revetment behind the homes.

Patch reported that City spokesperson Jessica Spaulding said, "Observation will continue as this situation evolves and since another high tide is expected Tuesday night," as city staff remained on site to inspect damage and place tags when appropriate.

Reporting for this sectionMyNewsLAPatch