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Rain, High Tides Could Cause Problems Along OC Coastline

SEAL BEACH (CBSLA.com) — The rain and high tides could cause problems along the Orange County coastline.

KCAL9's Michele Gile reports that flooding is a concern in Seal Beach.

On Friday, the strong Pacific storm churned up 4 to 5 feet surf, which will jump to 16 feet by midday Saturday.

"From what I've heard…what…15 feet tomorrow? So let's hope these guys are okay because years ago, they had the pier in their front yard. I think that was in the early '80s," resident Steve O'Keefe said.

If giant waves crash over the sand berm during the high tide Saturday morning, residents along Seal Way could experience flooding.

Lifeguard Chief Joe Bailey will be on the beach with five lifeguards.

"It's pretty big. I mean, this winter we've had one other big surf where it was probably 12 feet, so this doesn't happen that often…maybe once or twice a year on average. We haven't had a big swell like this in the last three winters, however," he said.

Homeowners on the Balboa Peninsula and Newport Beach are used to street flooding during rainstorms and high tides. On Friday morning, a mini lake formed at—ironically—River and Lake avenues.

"My pump is working right now and it's trying to keep the water out. The issue is when cars drive really fast and water actually goes into our garage from all the water in the street," resident Medi Bendanna said.

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