Update Note: This article reports new information involving the late-October king tides following Nature World News' earlier coverage of the El Niño Kelvin wave. Latest verified data: KOMO News analysis published 8:34 a.m. PDT Oct. 27, 2026, and Associated Press reporting from Oct. 28, 2026, citing the National Weather Service.

The ocean came in higher than the tide tables said it would. During the late-October king tides, observed high water along Southern California ran at least 1.5 feet above astronomical predictions, and some readings reached 1.7 feet above forecast, KOMO News meteorologist George Waldenberger reported. The tide gauge at San Pedro, near the Port of Los Angeles, set a record high water level, and La Jolla came close.

The National Weather Service said record high tides were set this week at Santa Barbara, San Pedro, San Diego and La Jolla, the Associated Press reported. Seawater pushed into streets and homes in Huntington Beach and Sunset Beach and covered a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County.

The reason this matters is simple. Tides themselves are predictable to the minute, which is why king tides are usually a photo opportunity. When the water arrives more than a foot above the forecast, homeowners, drivers, and businesses who planned around the official numbers get caught short, and two larger tide windows are still ahead.

Stacked Water on Top of Predictable Tides

King tides happen when the Earth, Moon and Sun align to produce the year's highest astronomical tides. This year, three other factors stacked extra water on top of them. Abnormally warm ocean water expands and takes up more space, raising sea level. Some of that warmth is tied to an ongoing marine heat wave and some to the strong El Niño now underway, according to KOMO's analysis. Kelvin waves, slow pulses of warm water that travel across the Pacific and then north along the coast, added still more.

Nature World News previously reported, in early October, that an El Niño Kelvin wave was moving up the California coast and that the late-October tides would be the first real test of its effect. At the time, researchers projected the wave could raise the baseline by 6 to 12 inches. The observed overshoot of up to 1.7 feet suggests the combined effect of heat, El Niño and the wave was larger than that estimate alone.

This is consistent with how strong El Niño years have behaved before. It is not a forecast that every future tide will exceed predictions by the same margin.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Weeks Bring Higher Tides

The bigger concern is the calendar — the highest tides are still ahead. In Newport Beach, where the City Council declared a local emergency ahead of the Oct. 26 to 28 tides, the city projects the Thanksgiving-week king tides to start between 6.5 and 7 feet, with potential highs of 8.8 feet, The Inertia reported. The final king tides of 2026, from Dec. 22 to 26, are predicted between 6.6 and 7.2 feet, with potential highs reaching 9 feet on Christmas Eve.

The city said ocean water levels are already running higher than predicted and urged residents in low-lying and waterfront areas to "take precautions now to protect their homes, vehicles and property." Officials singled out the Peninsula and Balboa Island, where elevated water can reach streets, homes and businesses. Crews are reinforcing sand berms, preparing pumps and tide valves, and moving ahead with a project to bring 100,000 cubic yards of sand to eroded West Newport beaches.

Other counties have published similar windows. San Mateo County lists king tides from Nov. 21 to 28 and Dec. 20 to 27. Residents can compare predicted and observed water levels in real time at the NOAA Tides and Currents station for Los Angeles.

The timing creates a household problem — one that goes beyond the water itself. Holiday weeks are when families travel, guests park on unfamiliar streets, and city offices run on reduced schedules. Storms arriving during a high tide would raise the risk further, and the strong El Niño raises the odds of a stormier winter.

East Coast Saw High Water Too

The same week brought flooding on the Atlantic side. Miami Beach's highest predicted king tide window ran Oct. 24 to 30, according to the city, which offers free garage parking during king tides and warns residents to avoid contaminated floodwater. The Virginia Key gauge in Miami recorded its highest king tide and third-highest water level in about three decades of records. Street flooding was also reported in Charleston and Myrtle Beach.

"It's been a good week to stay out of the water and stay away from the beaches," said Chris Fisher, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Miami. Miami Beach lists its next king tide windows as Nov. 6 to 9 and Nov. 23 to 26.

Preparing Homes and Cars Before the Next Window

Coastal residents should check the official tide predictions for their nearest station, then assume water could run a foot or more higher. Move cars off low streets before peak tide, since saltwater damages brakes and undercarriages, and never drive through flooded roads. Flooding usually occurs within about 1.5 hours before and after high tide.

Standard homeowners and renters policies generally do not cover flood damage, and a new National Flood Insurance Program policy typically takes 30 days to take effect. That means residents who want coverage before Christmas week would need to act by late November. Sandbags, sealed vents, and raised valuables can limit damage in ground-floor rooms.

The bottom line: the late-October king tides showed that this year's ocean is running well above forecast in Southern California. The Thanksgiving and Christmas tides are predicted to be higher, so residents of low-lying coastal neighborhoods should prepare now and follow alerts from the National Weather Service and their city.

What Readers Want to Know

How high did the October king tides run? Observed high water in Southern California ran at least 1.5 feet above predictions, with some readings 1.7 feet above forecast. San Pedro set a record high water level.

Why was the water higher than predicted? Warm ocean water from a marine heat wave and the strong El Niño expanded and raised sea level, while Kelvin waves pushed additional water along the coast.

When are the next king tides? Thanksgiving week and Christmas week. Newport Beach expects Dec. 22 to 26 tides with potential highs near 9 feet on Christmas Eve.

Which areas face the greatest risk? Low-lying waterfront neighborhoods such as Newport Beach's Peninsula and Balboa Island, Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, and flood-prone coastal roads.

Does homeowners insurance cover king tide flooding? Usually not. Flood coverage generally requires a separate policy, and new NFIP policies typically take 30 days to begin.

What should drivers do? Avoid parking or driving on low coastal streets around high tide, and never drive through floodwater.