Huge Surf, Coastal Flooding Possible As Hurricane Polo Swells Arrive

LOS ANGELES, CA — Hurricane Polo is expected to send swells toward Southern California beginning late Sunday, raising the potential for elevated surf, coastal flooding and significant beach erosion Monday and Tuesday, forecasters said.

Hurricane Odalys is also churning off central Mexico, with southerly swells from both hurricanes expected to affect the region this weekend through the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards warning in effect through Wednesday. Beachgoers face a risk of powerful riptides and rogues waves, while low-lying coastal areas could experience flooding or beach erosion.

Surf at south-facing beaches could reach 4 to 7 feet at times Sunday through Tuesday, although forecasters said the heights could vary by about 2 feet because of uncertainty surrounding the hurricanes and their tracks.

High tides will steadily increase and are expected to peak Monday and Tuesday at around 7 feet, nearly a foot above astronomical tides due to the ongoing effects of El Nino, according to the NWS.

"There is a significant concern for Coastal Flooding over vulnerable south-facing beaches as a result, but the magnitude is still uncertain," forecasters said.

Areas of greatest concern include Avalon, Long Beach and Malibu.

Forecasters said south-facing beaches should prepare for shallow seawater flooding of low-lying walkways, parking lots and roads, along with the potential for significant beach erosion. Very localized damage to structures is also possible in the most vulnerable areas.

The weather service said a "reasonable worst-case scenario" would produce impacts similar to those from Hurricane Marie earlier this month, although the most likely outcome would be less severe.

Avalon could be particularly vulnerable because Polo's swells are expected to arrive from a more southeasterly direction than those from Marie, leaving the area more exposed, according to the NWS.

Forecasters said the situation remains complicated because Polo and Odalys are close to each other and computer models have had difficulty forecasting Odalys. Polo also has a relatively short period during which it is expected to be far enough west for its waves to have a clear path toward Southern California.

There is also a chance of light showers south of Point Conception from Sunday night into Monday as mid-level moisture moves into the region, although the greatest local effects from the hurricanes are still expected along the coast.

Meanwhile, temperatures Saturday are expected to rise 3 to 6 degrees across Los Angeles County coasts and valleys, with highs near 90 in downtown Los Angeles and near 100 in the warmer valleys. No significant winds are expected.

Several degrees of additional cooling are expected Sunday and Monday as an upper-level trough moves into California.

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