Hurricane Polo surf: Orange County flood advisory runs to Wednesday

Hurricane Polo stayed well south of California, and its swell still reached Southern California this week. The National Weather Service forecast surf of 4 to 7 feet at south-facing beaches on Monday and Tuesday, with late-morning high tides near 7 feet, close to a foot above normal. Avalon, Long Beach and Malibu were named as the areas of greatest concern.

The coastal flood and high surf advisories for Ventura and Los Angeles County beaches were set to expire at 5 p.m. Tuesday. In Orange County, the high surf advisory also ended Tuesday evening, and the coastal flood advisory stays in effect until 5 p.m. Wednesday. Fox 11 reported that southerly swells from Polo and Hurricane Odalys could affect coastal waters through about midweek.

Forecasters warned of shallow seawater flooding on walkways, parking lots and roads near the beach, significant erosion, and widespread, very strong rip currents. The weather service also noted that the surf would likely be smaller than during Hurricane Marie, though erosion left by that storm could make flooding worse. Its advice is to stay out of the water, stay off rock jetties, and protect property in flood-prone spots.

If you live near the water, sandbags are available. Long Beach has pre-filled and empty bags at the Claremont Parking Lot, 5400 E. Ocean Blvd, and Los Angeles County residents can check Los Angeles Fire Department stations. The LAFD website, lafd.org, explains how to place them.

If you are heading to an Orange County beach before Wednesday afternoon, check the late-morning high tide, park away from low lots near the sand, and watch the surf from dry ground.