Heavy rain and powerful waves from Hurricane Marie, though offshore, flooded streets and overwhelmed coastal communities in Southern California on September 6, 2026, with officials urging caution as dangerous conditions persisted.
Despite remaining hundreds of miles off the Southern California coast, Hurricane Marie unleashed significant impacts on September 6, 2026, with powerful swells, flooding, and hazardous surf battering the region. The storm’s remnants triggered widespread disruptions, including flooded streets in Long Beach, power outages, and the closure of beaches and boardwalks. Officials warned of ongoing risks as the National Weather Service issued high surf advisories through Tuesday.
Flooded Streets and Coastal Damage in Long Beach
In Long Beach, massive waves overwhelmed storm drains, flooding streets and forcing residents to use pumps to remove standing water. There’s power shortages going on, so some people are getting shocked in there,
said resident Cole Hill, who described damaged furniture, electronics, and tiles being ripped from floors. Video footage showed splintered boardwalk wood and eight-foot berms washed away, with sand and sludge left behind after water receded.
The Long Beach Fire Department deployed portable pumps and ordered additional resources to address the flooding, with Assistant Chief Jake Heflin stating, We have ordered some additional resources to come and get this water out of here.
City officials closed the boardwalk due to unsafe conditions, and Councilmember Kristina Duggan urged Peninsula residents to avoid the area. Meanwhile, sand was being moved to reinforce barriers, with Marine Safety Battalion Chief Scott Dixon emphasizing, We’re taking every precaution we can to protect the citizens of Long Beach.
Residents like Ashley Brown described the chaos, noting, Everything that it’s throwing up at you with every wave is something that somebody is getting hit with.
The storm also damaged the boardwalk’s protective barriers, with one resident stating, I’ve never seen all the plywood get destroyed in front of the homes before.
Cleanup crews worked through the night, with water creating channels between ocean berms and homes along the shore.
Official Responses and Safety Measures
Local officials and emergency responders prioritized safety as high surf and rip currents posed risks. The National Weather Service warned of widespread and very strong
rip currents, urging beachgoers to avoid the water. In Malibu, beaches were closed due to lightning, and officials reported eroded coastal bluffs at Point Dume State Beach, where recent repairs were damaged. The Long Beach Fire Department’s efforts to reinforce sand berms were part of a broader strategy to mitigate flooding, with crews working in the 62nd Place area to move as much sand over
as possible.
Emergency services also addressed power outages and structural damage. In Seal Beach, cleanup crews worked through the night as waves breached barriers, while in Malibu, videos showed Pacific Coast Highway drivers splashed by waves. The National Hurricane Center downgraded Marie to a tropical storm by Sunday night, but the storm’s effects lingered, with the National Weather Service noting elevated totals of up to 1.5 inches of rain
in foothill communities. UC climate scientist Daniel Swain called the rainfall mainly beneficial
but warned of potential flooding in low-lying areas.
Public health officials issued advisories against entering the ocean through September 9 due to bacteria spikes from storm runoff, with warnings to avoid jetties, piers, and other waterside infrastructure. The National Weather Service maintained a high surf advisory through Tuesday, emphasizing the danger of large breaking waves
that could wash people off beaches and rocks.
Ongoing Weather Threats and Unresolved Questions
Residents and officials alike expressed concern over the unseasonal weather. Francisco Garcia, a visitor from Palm Springs, said, No, definitely not,
when asked if he expected such conditions in Southern California. The Long Beach Fire Department’s Scott Dixon urged the public to consult lifeguards before entering the water, stating, It may not be safe to be in; it might have a surge or swell coming in.
The full extent of the storm’s damage remains unclear, with crews continuing to assess impacts. While the National Weather Service downgraded Marie to a tropical storm, the lingering effects of high surf and heavy rain raised questions about long-term recovery efforts. Officials emphasized the need for vigilance as the region braced for potential further disruptions.
