REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Marissa Sur, Assistant City Manager
PREPARED BY: Carlina Thomas, Assistant to the City Manager
Subject:
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Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-41 Ratifying Existence of Local Emergency and Adopting Emergency Orders and Regulations
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Statement of Issue:
On October 26, 2026, City Manager Travis Hopkins, serving in his capacity as director of emergency services for the City of Huntington Beach, signed a proclamation of local emergency due to extreme high tides and coastal flooding. The October 26 proclamation is now being presented to City Council for ratification pursuant to Government Code Section 8630 and Huntington Beach Municipal Code Section 8.60.070(A). The resolution also includes emergency orders and regulations for City Council adoption.
Financial Impact:
Unknown, costs responding to this emergency will be tracked and funding will be pursued for reimbursement as possible.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-41, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Ratifying the Existence of a Local Emergency in the City of Huntington Beach and Adopting Emergency Orders and Regulations.”
And consider other recommendations or other amendments to provide additional public safety measures.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
On October 26, 2026, City Manager Travis Hopkins, serving in his capacity as director of emergency services for the City of Huntington Beach, signed a proclamation of local emergency (Attachment 1) due to the actual and threatened effects of unusually high tides, coastal flooding, high surf, and erosion, particularly in Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach.
The emergency conditions began on October 26, 2026, and continued through October 29, with tides reaching 8.20 feet during the week. This resulted in widespread flooding in the Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach areas. The areas highly impacted specifically include Bayview Drive, North Pacific Ave, and Park Ave, and other areas in the Harbour. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) was shut down from Seapoint to Anderson St. due to the flooding, to limit traffic through these areas to residents and emergency vehicles. Several homes have reported flooding and damage with fire department crews responding to multiple electrical issues from the flooding. Additional unusually high tides are expected in November and December.
The City has undertaken emergency protective measures, including building and reinforcing the sand berms, adding sandbags and plastic to existing City owned seawalls, prestaging equipment and personnel for flood and water rescue or evacuation, and pumping equipment to mitigate the overflow. Sandbags continue to be available for residents at pre-designated locations throughout the city. Survey poles were installed to collect accurate water level readings in the City. Inflatable air bags were installed by Caltrans, who also assists with the daily road closures. Residents have been notified through face-to-face communication and daily social media posts with pertinent information. City-owned public docks in Huntington Harbour have had the pilings extended to account for the high tides and rising water levels.
The proposed resolution (Attachment 2) provides for and authorizes the implementation of emergency orders and regulations for the following:
1. Temporary Closure of Streets and Public Right-of-Way.
2. Emergency Parking Restrictions.
3. Closure of Hazardous Parking Areas.
4. Prohibition of Entry into Closed Areas.
5. Emergency Evacuations when necessary.
6. Removal and Relocation of Vehicles.
7. Protection of Flood-Control and Seawall Devices.
8. Protection of Adjacent and Public Property from Flooding
9. Public Notice and Implementation
10. Exceptions for Authorized City Employees to install, maintain, repair or remove protective measures.
11. Enforcement of Violations of Emergency Orders and Regulations.
If Council adopts Resolution No. 2026-41 ratifying the local emergency proclamation and adopting emergency orders and regulations, the proclamation and orders will remain in effect until the local emergency is terminated by City Council resolution.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
For details, visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/strategicplan.
Attachment(s):
1. October 26, 2026 Local Emergency Proclamation
2. Resolution No. 2026-41