Powerful Swells from Former Hurricane Marie Strip Southern California Beaches, Prompt Emergency Declarations

On September 1, 2026, the Southern California coast was battered by waves that reached up to 12 feet, eroding sand and damaging seawalls in several communities. The swell, a remnant of former Hurricane Marie, triggered emergency declarations in Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Dana Point and Malibu, and disrupted rail service in San Clemente.

Laguna Beach, located in Orange County, declared a local emergency on Thursday, September 6 after city officials reported continued sand loss and erosion. The declaration grants crews immediate authority to work on shoreline protection, sand replacement, debris removal and repairs without waiting for the usual contracting process. City officials said the emergency “will allow crews to move quickly on shoreline protection, sand replacement, debris removal and repairs without waiting for the usual contracting process.”

The most severe impacts were observed at Lagunita Beach, Pearl Street Beach and Christmas Cove. At Aliso Beach the ocean has swallowed the beach and damaged part of the parking lot. Officials noted that the incoming tide and swell are approaching a newly built sand berm and a closed parking lot that has already been damaged by storm surges.

Six oceanfront homes along Ocean Way and Lagunita Drive were yellow‑tagged after their seawalls were compromised. A yellow tag restricts access to a property because of potentially unsafe conditions but does not prohibit entry entirely. The city said it is seeking funding and regulatory flexibility to complete more effective shoreline protection and repairs.

Long Beach’s emergency response included door‑to‑door notifications to roughly 20 homes, urging evacuation after a seawall was compromised. Seawater and sand entered several homes as waves continued to erode protective berms and damage parts of the boardwalk.

In Dana Point, eight homes were red‑tagged and seven were yellow‑tagged after high surf and unusually high tides damaged properties along Beach Road, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Further north, Malibu placed 31 properties under evacuation orders on Tuesday after erosion and powerful waves contributed to a sinkhole outside a home owned by actor Nicolas Cage. The hole expanded to about 30 feet deep and 60 feet wide, damaging the roadway and limiting access for emergency vehicles. Seven properties were declared unsafe because of the sinkhole while 24 others lost safe vehicle access.

The erosion also disrupted rail travel through San Clemente. Waves washed over tracks and damaged protective rock along the coastal rail corridor, affecting Metrolink, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and freight service. Crews conducted emergency stabilization work.

The swell produced by Marie, which remained well offshore of California during Labor Day weekend, generated dangerous surf and rip currents, with waves reaching around 10 feet in some areas. The event is part of a broader pattern of strong El Niño conditions that began in June 2026. Statewide forecasts indicate that the El Niño will bring larger storms and waves through the winter, increasing the risk of further beach loss and coastal damage.

California officials are urging coastal residents to inspect seawalls and make repairs now before the next round of powerful waves arrives. The emergency declarations and evacuations illustrate the immediate threat to oceanfront homes and public infrastructure.

The situation underscores Southern California’s growing vulnerability to storm surges and erosion. The state’s coastal communities are already losing beaches and scrambling to protect oceanfront homes after the swells from former Hurricane Marie accelerated coastal erosion. The emergency measures allow local governments to act swiftly, but long‑term solutions will require additional funding, regulatory flexibility and coordinated planning across the state.

As the El Niño season progresses, officials and residents alike will monitor wave heights, shoreline changes and infrastructure integrity to mitigate the ongoing threat to California’s coastal communities.