Rain Backs Off but More Looms

Wind-whipped waves topping 15 feet rushed on shore Tuesday in Seal Beach and Huntington Beach as a small storm--the second of at least three expected this week--hit Orange County.

Sand berms kept the water away from oceanfront homes in Seal Beach, where properties were swamped last year when El Nino-driven rains arrived at high tide with crests as high as 20 feet before a berm was put in place.

“We have survived for today,” said Seal Beach Police Officer Bob Mullins.

A stronger storm off the coast is expected to arrive by late Thursday, along with a higher than normal tide, and dump more than the quarter-inch of rain that fell Tuesday. That, Mullins said, “could pose a problem.”

“All it takes is extreme rainfall concentrated in a short duration of time and you have a possibility of exceeding the storm drainage capacity in the city,” said City Manager Keith Till. “That could create a potential for flooding problems.”

Tuesday’s waves were welcome in Huntington Beach, where surfers flocked to the waves.

“There were some great rides,” said Matt Karl, a marine safety officer for Huntington Beach.

The waves gradually became smaller down the coast, reaching four feet in San Clemente. Still, a heavy surf advisory for Orange and San Diego County beaches is in effect through today, and water levels should remain high through the week.

Seal Beach officials issued warnings about the next storm, cautioning property owners to protect exposed structures and swimmers to stay out of the water.

Mullins also advised people to stay off the jetties.

“There’s no contest between a large wave and a person’s ability to stand,” Mullins said. “The wave will win.”

The surf is expected to decrease today, but is expected to remain, on average, above 6 feet.

Forecasters predict sunny weather today, after patchy morning fog burns off, and temperatures in the mid-60s to low 70s. Clouds are expected to increase Thursday.

Times correspondent Harrison Sheppard contributed to this report.

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Water Walled

A sand berm kept the storm-whipped ocean away from homes in Seal Beach, an area hit hard last year by El Nino-driven waves.