Tides up to 8 feet are pushing seawater into low-lying coastal roads and neighborhoods, and Coronado sits right in the path.

The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Warning on Sunday, Oct. 25, covering San Diego County's coast through Thursday, Oct. 29, CBS 8 reported. Peak tides have been running 1.7 feet higher than predicted, arriving in the late morning hours. County officials warn residents to avoid beaches, jetties and cliffs during those morning high tides.

The flooding is not rain-driven. The full "Hunter's" Moon peaked Sunday, Oct. 25, pulling tides over beaches and into streets. According to CBS 8, some beachside neighborhoods had already flooded by Monday, Oct. 26, with whirlpools visible in Mission Bay streets as water drained toward storm drains. City crews have been building sand berms on 16-hour shifts, the station reported.

Significant flooding, road closures and shoreline erosion are expected to continue through Thursday.

Why Coronado is especially vulnerable

City Manager Tina Friend told the Coronado City Council on Oct. 20 that the city sits at roughly sea level, is surrounded by water and relies on a gravity-fed storm drain system. When sea levels rise above the outfall pipes, water backs up into the streets, according to coverage published Oct. 26 in the Coronado Times.

A series of Kelvin waves tied to El Niño is expected to raise local sea levels by half a foot to a foot, Friend said. Staff are already adding that amount to tide chart projections when planning.

Friend called the combined threat of storm surge, high surf and heavy rainfall potentially "a once-in-a-lifetime" event for Coronado. The council unanimously approved a declaration of emergency to speed purchasing, emergency repairs and mutual aid requests, and to open the door to state and federal reimbursement.

El Niño conditions are expected to persist through spring 2027, with forecasters predicting a greater than 83 percent chance of severe effects during the January-through-March peak, Friend said.

Sandbags and storm prep

The city's storm preparedness page lists two self-serve sandbag sites for Coronado residents:

  • Bandel Park, corner of 10th Street and J Avenue
  • Cays Park parking lot, 101 Grand Caribe Causeway

Residents must show proof of residency. The limit is 10 sandbags per household, available while supplies last. Whether those sites are currently stocked has not been confirmed by the city.

Mayor John Duncan encouraged residents to pick up sandbags early and keep them for the entire season, noting that Imperial Beach ran out during a recent storm, according to the Coronado Times.

Separately, the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services reports that free sand and sandbags are available at locations throughout the county. The city of San Diego is also providing free pre-filled sandbags at Robb Athletic Field and four other recreation centers on Saturday, Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while supplies last, according to CBS 8. Whether Coronado residents are eligible at those San Diego city sites is unclear.

Halloween weekend rain on the way

Hoodline reported a slight chance of showers arrives late Thursday night, Oct. 29, with odds increasing Friday and Saturday. Rain is most likely Saturday night into Sunday, Nov. 1, when highs may stay near 68 degrees.

The Coronado Fire Department is finalizing a series of storm preparation town halls running from early November into early December, according to the Coronado Times. Locations include the Coronado Cays HOA, the Spreckels Center and the Nautilus Room. Dates have not yet been announced.

To report downed tree limbs, clogged storm drains or localized flooding, call 619-522-7350. For emergencies, call 911.