Eight-Feet Tides Flood Mission Beach Homes
San Diego residents faced water pouring through doors as La Jolla tides hit nearly eight feet, with forecasts predicting higher levels through Wednesday.
By Ivan Mori ·
Water from the Pacific Ocean breached the sand berm in Mission Beach on Monday morning, rushing onto sidewalks and into private residences.
The National Weather Service reports that tides in La Jolla reached nearly eight feet during the morning peak. A coastal flood warning remains in effect. Forecasters predict tidal levels will exceed seven feet again on both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
Debbilyn Kovalik received a call from neighbors alerting her that the barrier had failed. Ocean water immediately flooded the sidewalk and entered her home through a sliding glass door.
"It came up to here, and right in the sliding glass door, there's water all the way through," Kovalik said while standing in the wet interior of her house. She noted that while Mission Beach has experienced flooding in the past, the water has never previously reached inside her specific home.
Kovalik identified damage to the drywall behind baseboards. She stated that the group is looking for ways to prevent a recurrence.
Jackie Nipper, who lives a few houses away, reported that water inundated her yard within seconds of the berm breaking. She operates Mission Bay Puppy Rescue from her property.
"There was a tiny little gap and it was able to get through," Nipper said. "Every effort that we tried to make to keep it from coming in today failed." She added that the water covers the area where puppies play and are viewed by potential adopters.
Christopher McGinnis, a resident of Mission Beach for 30 years, stood by the waterline and observed that the tide was about one foot higher than predicted. He cited a Kelvin wave and warmer ocean temperatures associated with the El Niño season as factors contributing to the elevated levels.
City crews are currently reinforcing the breached berm and operating pumps to remove standing water. Residents waded through knee-deep water to access their homes during the high tide.
Camille LeFever, a visitor from Arizona who travels to San Diego twice yearly, described walking through muck that reached her knees during a beach walk. She noted that she had to scrub off immediately after returning indoors.
