Laguna Beach declares emergency over coastal erosion

Laguna Beach has declared a local state of emergency following significant coastal erosion and sand loss caused by swells from Hurricane Marie. The damage, which began around September 2, has impacted public infrastructure and residential safety.

City Manager Dave Kiff reported that the Aliso Beach parking lot suffered a partial failure, with damage estimated at approximately $500,000. Additionally, six oceanfront homes located on Lagunita Drive and Ocean Way have been ‘yellow-tagged,’ meaning they are subject to limited access due to compromised seawalls. Several areas, including the south end of Lagunita Beach, Pearl Street Beach, and the Christmas Cove footpath, remain temporarily closed to the public.

The emergency declaration is intended to expedite shoreline protection, debris removal, and repairs by bypassing standard contracting procedures. Officials expressed concern regarding the unprecedented amount of sand lost from the beaches, especially with a strong El Niño forecast predicting above-normal precipitation and continued weather volatility for the 2026-27 season.