Coastal cities in Southern California are racing to construct protective barriers as Hurricane Marie churns in the Pacific Ocean, bringing the potential for high surf, rain, and flooding.
Newport Beach is currently building a substantial sand berm along its waterfront in an accelerated effort to shield properties from large waves and swells expected over the weekend. Municipal operations director Zac Gentry told CBS News that the city is preparing for the possibility that the hurricane could turn towards the coast, stating, "We wanna make sure we’re prepared for it."
This expedited construction involves city workers and additional contractors, aiming to complete the berm in four days, a process that typically takes two weeks. Several excavators have been observed moving sand on the beach to prepare for the potential impacts.
Hurricane Marie has intensified to a Category 1 storm over 1,000 miles south of San Diego and is forecast to become a Category 2 hurricane. While the storm is not expected to make a direct landfall in California, forecasters have warned of significant coastal impacts, particularly on Sunday and Monday.
This latest effort to build defenses is larger than previous ones. Newport Beach is constructing a berm that is 20 feet high and 20 feet wide, utilizing an estimated 200,000 cubic yards of sand. In 2020, the city used berms that were 20 feet high and 6 feet wide, which were breached by waves, resulting in damage to a parking lot, vehicles, and a sailboat.
Lifeguard Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda urged caution for residents and beachgoers, warning of the ocean's power. "It can sweep your feet out from under you and wipe you out to sea in a very short matter of time."