Hurricane Polo Threatens Long Beach Residents Still Recovering From Hurricane Marie

Residents of Long Beach are bracing for the impact of Hurricane Polo, a Category 5 storm, as it bears down on Southern California. Many are still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Marie, which struck over Labor Day weekend, leaving a path of flooded homes, destroyed cars, and a damaged boardwalk.

Meteorologists forecast that monster waves could coincide with high tides on Monday and Tuesday, prompting city officials to declare a state of emergency. The National Weather Service is also predicting elevated surf and strong rip currents along Southern California beaches starting this weekend and continuing into next week due to several southerly swells approaching the coast.

On the Long Beach Peninsula, where Marie’s waves caused significant damage, some residents are expressing deep concern. Shawn Jeffery, a nine-year resident, is preparing to leave his rental apartment, stating, "I don’t think this house is gonna make it. We’ve got a sinkhole underneath where the sand used to be." He reported that nine feet of sand was lost in front of his home during Marie, damaging his building's foundation and washing away deck steps. Jeffery has boarded up his windows in anticipation of Polo.

Jeffery voiced frustration over the lack of official assistance, saying, "The city’s not helping. We’re doing everything ourselves." His neighbors share his concerns, describing the current year's storms as the worst they have ever experienced.

"We’ve never seen a monster like this," said retired pilot Julio Zamarripa, who lives near the shore. "If you have a home facing the ocean, it’s lethal." Zamarripa believes the city must immediately replenish the sand on the beach to prevent further damage.

Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles/Oxnard office, indicated that Hurricane Polo is expected to impact the Long Beach area, with high surf likely to cause coastal flooding on south-facing beaches. She noted that high tides are projected to peak between 7 feet on Monday and Wednesday, significantly higher than the average 5 feet, and that areas vulnerable to Marie could face similar conditions again.

Christine Nakov, a local resident, recalled shortages of essential supplies during the previous storm and expressed worry about a repeat. She described chaotic scenes of residents attempting to move sand with golf carts and trucks, lamenting, "No one knows what they’re doing."

Paula Attina recounted being evacuated by police during Hurricane Marie and fears the coming storms, as well as the ongoing El Niño season. "The house shook like an earthquake, and we could see the waves crashing from our third-story window," she said. "When the boardwalk exploded, it felt like I might be lifted into the air."

On Tuesday, the Long Beach City Council ratified City Manager Tom Modica’s emergency declaration, which allows city crews to take more measures to reinforce the coastline. However, Attina believes these efforts, such as the construction of sand berms, are insufficient. "What they’re doing right now is just a Band-Aid," she stated. "They need to renew the sand and install permanent fix."