La Jolla beaches face 6-to-10-foot breaking waves, dangerous rip currents and high tides reaching 7 feet over Labor Day weekend as Hurricane Marie pushes swells toward the San Diego coast.
The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Advisory and a High Surf Advisory for the county's coastline, both taking effect at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, and lasting through 11 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, Fox 5 San Diego reported. La Jolla can expect high tides of 6 to 7 feet during that window, according to the NWS.
Coastal parking lots and roads could flood. The agency also forecast strong, dangerous rip and longshore currents and the chance for beach erosion.
Rain and flooding risk
NWS models show a 71% chance of rain for the San Diego area over the holiday weekend. San Diego County could also see isolated heavy downpours, raising the risk of flooding or flash floods in areas such as recent burn scars, according to Fox 5.
The San Diego County Department of Public Works said on X on Thursday, Sept. 3, that it is monitoring the anticipated rain event and warned of potential flooding and flash flooding. The department urged residents not to drive through flooded areas.
Storm track and forecast
Marie strengthened from a tropical storm to a hurricane Wednesday night, Sept. 2, and is forecast to continue moving northwest in the Pacific through Tuesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is not expected to make landfall, but tropical-storm-force winds were extending up to 230 miles out, reaching southwest Mexico and Baja California.
KPBS reported on Wednesday, Sept. 2, that evening high tides could reach 6.5 to 6.8 feet Sunday and about 7 feet Monday, increasing the possibility of coastal flooding in low-lying areas. If peak surf coincides with high tide, moderate coastal flooding and beach erosion could occur, the NWS said.
The NWS cautioned in a statement reported by KPBS that even a small shift in Marie's track could significantly alter the forecast.
Safety guidance and sandbags
The NWS advises inexperienced swimmers to stay out of the water during the advisory period. Swim near lifeguards. Stay off sea walls and rock jetties. Waves can travel farther up the beach than expected during high and rising tides, the agency warned.
Free sandbags are available across San Diego County to help residents protect homes and property from flooding. A location map is posted at alertsandiego.org. County and Cal Fire sites serve unincorporated areas; cities maintain their own distribution points. Residents should bring a shovel, as most locations require self-filling.
The advisories expire at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.
