La Jolla Tides Reach 8 Feet as Mission Beach Berm Breaches

Tides in La Jolla reached nearly 8 feet on Monday morning, triggering a coastal flood warning that has left residents of Mission Beach dealing with severe water intrusion. The National Weather Service reports that these levels represent some of the highest readings in recent memory for San Diego's coastline.

The surge caused the sand berm separating the beach from the residential area to breach. Water poured directly onto sidewalks and flowed into the front doors of nearby homes. City crews are currently reinforcing the damaged barrier and operating pumps to manage the rising water levels.

Debbilyn Kovalik received a call from neighbors during the morning rush that the berm had failed. By the time she arrived home, ocean water was sloshing beneath her feet on the interior floor. She noted that the water reached the sliding glass door, penetrating the space behind the baseboards and damaging the drywall.

"It came up to here, and right in the sliding glass door, there's water all the way through," Kovalik said. She stated that while Mission Beach has experienced flooding in the past, the water had never previously entered her home.

Resident Jackie Nipper reported that water flooded her yard within seconds of the initial breach. A small gap in the barrier allowed the ocean to rush through despite their efforts to block the flow. Nipper operates Mission Bay Puppy Rescue on her property, meaning the flooding now threatens the outdoor play area for the animals in her care.

"There was a tiny little gap and it was able to get through," Nipper said. She expressed concern that the current conditions are only the start of the season, noting that the area serves as the primary space for visitors to interact with the puppies before adoption.

Christopher McGinnis, a Mission Beach resident for 30 years, observed that the water levels were approximately one foot higher than predicted. He attributed the discrepancy to a Kelvin wave and warmer ocean temperatures, factors that are amplifying the effects of the current El Nino season.

"We had the berms and everything, so I'm thinking, no big deal," McGinnis said. He added that the current conditions are the most severe he has witnessed in three decades of living in the community.

Visitors and locals alike found themselves wading through knee-deep water to access their homes or vehicles before the tide receded. Camille LeFever, a visitor from Arizona who travels to San Diego twice a year, described walking through muck up to her knees during a morning beach walk.

The National Weather Service forecasts tides over 7 feet for both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. As a result, the agency expects additional flooding events in Mission Beach and other low-lying coastal areas throughout the weekend.