PCH Closes Due to Flooding From High Tide in Huntington Beach

Pacific Coast Highway floods in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 24, 2023. Courtesy of the City of Huntington Beach

A portion of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Huntington Beach was closed Jan. 24 due to high surf that flooded the roadway. It reopened to northbound traffic Wednesday morning and to southbound around 3 p.m., according to a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) spokesperson.

The agency closed PCH in both directions just inland of Bolsa Chica State Beach between Warner Avenue and Seapoint Street at about 10:55 a.m., according to officials. Motorists were being detoured around the area.

The aftermath of recent storms brought flooding and ocean debris to Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 25, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

A high-tide surge caused the flooding, and Caltrans crews were working to mop up the water in the area, according to Jennifer Carey, a spokeswoman for the city.

Caltrans personnel on-site cleared the water and sediment from the roadway, while monitoring for surging waves as high tides may cause authorities to close the highway again, a Caltrans spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

City News Service contributed to this report.