What to Do After High-Tide Flooding in Huntington Beach
King tides flooded streets in Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach in late October 2026. If seawater reached your home, here is what to do in the first 24 hours, and where to find city help.
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After high-tide flooding, stay out of the water, keep power off in wet areas, photograph the waterline and call your flood insurer. Rinse salt off hard surfaces once the water recedes, but treat wet drywall, insulation, carpet and cabinets as contaminated. Those usually need to be removed and the structure dried within a day or two to prevent mold.
What happened in October 2026
In late October 2026, unusually high king tides flooded parts of the Southern California coast. In Huntington Beach, water covered residential streets in Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach. City crews pumped water off Bayview Drive, and the city partly closed Pacific Coast Highway between Warner Avenue and Anderson Street during high tide, according to FOX 11. In nearby Newport Beach, the National Weather Service recorded a record high tide of 8.4 feet, NBC Los Angeles reported. AP photos showed people kayaking and paddleboarding through floodwater in Huntington Beach on October 28.
More king tides and winter storms are likely in the months ahead. The steps below apply whether the water came from a tide, a storm or both.
The first 24 hours after tidal flooding
- Wait for the water to recede before going into flooded rooms. Don't drive through flooded streets.
- Keep power off in any room where water reached outlets, and don't use a water heater or furnace that sat in seawater until it's checked.
- Photograph the high-water line and all damaged items before cleaning.
- Wear boots, gloves and eye protection. Tidal water mixes with storm drain runoff and can carry sewage.
- Rinse salt off concrete, driveways and garage floors with fresh water once the tide is out.
- Pull out wet carpet, pad and fabric items you can safely move, and bag what can't be saved for photos.
- Call your flood insurer, then get water removal and drying started.
City of Huntington Beach resources
- Sandbags: Corporate Yard, 17371 Gothard Street, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seasonal sites at Edison Community Center (21377 Magnolia Street) and Warner Fire Station (3831 Warner). Self-service, bring a shovel, 20 bags per household, for Huntington Beach and Sunset Beach residents.
- Sandbag delivery: elderly residents and people with disabilities can ask the HB CERT message line at (714) 536-5974. Delivery depends on volunteers.
- Sandbag questions: (714) 960-8861. General city questions: (714) 536-5511.
- Report flooding or a blocked drain: use the city's Report an Issue page.
- Emergency alerts and preparedness: the HB Emergency Management page.
- Life-threatening emergencies: call 911.
Before the next high tide
- Check tide forecasts and National Weather Service coastal flood advisories for Orange County.
- Place sandbags at garage doors and low entries before the tide, not during it.
- Move cars, stored boxes and anything valuable off the garage floor.
- Raise or strap water heaters and keep electrical cords and power strips off the floor.
- Review your flood insurance. A new NFIP policy usually takes 30 days to start.
When to call a restoration contractor
If seawater got past the garage into living space, soaked drywall, reached cabinets or sat for more than a few hours, it is time for professional help. A contractor will remove contaminated materials, clean and disinfect, and dry the structure with readings to prove it. Our flood damage cleanup page explains the process.
Call us to be connected with an independent restoration contractor serving Huntington Harbour, Sunset Beach and the rest of Huntington Beach.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Huntington Beach flood during king tides?
King tides are the highest tides of the year, caused by the alignment of the Earth, moon and sun. When they line up with big surf or a storm, seawater can push through storm drains and over low walls in areas close to the harbor and beach, like Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach.
Is it safe to walk or drive through tidal floodwater?
Avoid it. Floodwater can hide debris, open drains and damaged pavement, and it carries contaminants. AAA warned drivers during the October 2026 tides not to enter flooded roads, even shallow ones.
Where can I get sandbags?
The city lists the Corporate Yard at 17371 Gothard Street (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), plus seasonal sites at the Edison Community Center and Warner Fire Station. Limit 20 bags per household. Elderly or disabled residents can ask the HB CERT team about delivery at (714) 536-5974.
What should I do with used sandbags?
The city suggests mixing the sand into garden soil, giving it to neighbors, or putting it in your trash cart, no more than two bags a week. Don't dump sand at the beach or return bags to city facilities.
Does insurance cover damage from a king tide?
Not under a standard homeowners policy. Seawater from a high tide is flood damage, which needs a flood policy. See our insurance claims guide.
Related help
Seawater got into your home?
Keep power off in wet rooms, photograph the waterline and wear gloves. Then call to be connected with an independent local contractor.