California coastal areas face severe flooding and erosion risks

A report from UC Davis warns that several California coastal regions, including Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Elkhorn Slough, South San Francisco Bay, Stinson Beach, and Humboldt Bay, are at risk for severe flooding during the 2026-2027 winter season. The threat is driven by a combination of Kelvin Waves, King Tides, and El Niño conditions.

In San Luis Obispo County, specific risks include flooding from stormwater runoff and high tides near SLO Creek, beach loss near Pismo Creek, and potential erosion of coastal bluffs. The report notes that depending on storm timing, flooding could range from temporary inconvenience to profound and historic damage, including the loss of shoreline houses and infrastructure.

In Shell Beach, recent bluff collapses near Ocean Boulevard have prompted the City of Pismo Beach to implement safety measures. The city is replacing concrete along the bluff edge with permeable granite aggregate to improve drainage and is moving walking paths further from the unstable edge. Officials noted that heavy rainfall and large waves could accelerate erosion as the region approaches King Tides and a strong El Niño season.