Southern California's coast is bracing for a rough stretch of surf. The National Weather Service has flood and high surf advisories in effect as swells generated by Hurricane Polo arrive along the Los Angeles and Orange County shorelines, bringing dangerous rip currents and the risk of coastal flooding around high tides.
Officials say Avalon, on Catalina Island, could be particularly vulnerable because Polo's swells are expected to approach from a more southeasterly direction than those from Hurricane Marie earlier this month, leaving the harbour town more exposed. Marie caused significant damage to homes in Dana Point, Long Beach and Malibu, and forecasters say a reasonable worst case for Polo would produce similar impacts, though the most likely outcome is less severe.
Los Angeles emergency officials have warned residents to prepare, citing a heightened drowning risk from widespread, powerful rip currents that can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. A beach hazards statement covers Los Angeles County beaches through early Monday, with a coastal flood advisory issued for Monday and Tuesday; Orange County is under a beach hazards statement through late Sunday and a coastal flood advisory into Wednesday afternoon.
In Long Beach, fire department marine safety crews and public health logistics teams have staged pre-filled sandbags for residents in flood-prone areas, with additional sand and bags available at the Claremont Parking Lot on East Ocean Boulevard. Los Angeles Fire Department stations are also distributing ready-to-fill sandbags as residents in low-lying coastal areas get ready for the highest tides.
