NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Ocean water rushed through the streets of a low-lying Southern California coastal community after a seawall was damaged by construction workers.
A crew doing demolition work at a seaside lot accidentally knocked off the top portion of the wall Wednesday night in Newport Beach. When high tide came, water flooded into a neighborhood.
At least one resident reported flooding inside a home, while up to 20 others had water in their yards, fire Battalion Chief Brian McDonough said.
Stephanie Snead said she and her neighbors were initially concerned, but when it was clear the damage would be limited, residents floated through the streets on rafts and paddleboards.
“The whole neighborhood was out laughing and having a good time,” Snead told the Orange County Register (https://bit.ly/2rkQNsc ).
Several streets were closed to cars as city workers pumped out water.
Sandbags would be used to replace the damaged wall until a permanent structure can be built, said George Murdoch, Newport Beach’s director of municipal operations.
“We need to get this fixed or we’ll be in the same situation tonight,” he said, adding that Thursday’s tide was expected to be slightly higher than the previous night’s when it peaks around 9:30 p.m.
The city of 58,000 people south of Los Angeles sits at 10 feet (3 meters) above sea level and is often beset by flooding during storms or extraordinary tides.
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