11/04/2026
In response to recent elevated tides and coastal flooding in Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach, the City of Huntington Beach is addressing immediate response needs while advancing additional measures to support residents, strengthen flood protection, and prepare for potential future impacts.
These efforts include:
• Flood-Response Supplies: Developing a dedicated supply fund for essential materials, including sandbags, sand, tarps, and sealing tape, with expenditures tracked for potential reimbursement.
• Resident Flood Assistance: Exploring a program to help residents address flood-related impacts.
• Coastal Commission Coordination: Seeking expedited pre-approval and potential fee waivers from the California Coastal Commission to facilitate necessary flood-protection work.
• Fire Department Drone Operations: Evaluating costs and operational options for a Fire Department drone program to monitor flooding and support emergency response and recovery.
To support these efforts and provide the City with additional emergency response authority, the Huntington Beach City Council convened a Special Meeting on Friday, October 30, 2026, and voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt Resolution No. 2026-41, ratifying the local emergency initially proclaimed by City Manager Travis Hopkins on October 26, 2026.
The resolution establishes emergency orders and regulations to help protect life and property, address flood-related hazards, and coordinate emergency operations.
Key provisions include:
• Emergency Access and Public Safety: Authority to temporarily close streets, public rights-of-way, and hazardous areas, implement parking restrictions, and issue evacuation warnings or orders when necessary.
• Flood Protection: Prohibitions against damaging, removing, or interfering with sandbags, temporary flood barriers, seawalls, pumps, and other flood-control equipment.
• Property Protection: Authority to require reasonable, temporary protective measures when specific conditions threaten neighboring properties or public infrastructure.
• Emergency Resources: Authority to coordinate mutual aid, obtain necessary equipment and supplies, and expedite emergency public works when immediate action is needed.
• Disaster Assistance and Recovery: Authorization to pursue available state and federal disaster assistance and reimbursement, including requesting a Governor's emergency proclamation and assistance through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and the federal government.
The City Council will review the local emergency declaration at least every 14 days, as required by law, until conditions warrant its termination.
The City will continue working across departments and with regional, state, and federal partners to address flood-related impacts and advance response and recovery efforts.
To view Resolution No. 2026-41, visit https://records.huntingtonbeachca.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=7488829&dbid=0&repo=COHB&searchid=fb79a138-cb00-46aa-8dd0-f5bf0d6caf05&cr=1.
