High tides are no longer a rare occurrence for Long Beach residents, as a combination of natural phenomena and human-induced climate change intensifies. The Long Beach Peninsula, a narrow stretch of homes on the sand, is particularly vulnerable to these extreme tides. Mark Merrifield, an oceanography professor, warns that what was once a rare event will become almost commonplace by the end of the century. This is due to the moon's position relative to Earth and the El Niño climate pattern, which warms the Pacific Ocean and contributes to rising sea levels. The situation is exacerbated by atmospheric pollution, which has led to an increasing rate of sea-level rise since the Industrial Revolution, according to NASA. Long Beach's climate action plan estimates a 2-foot rise in sea levels by 2050 and nearly 7 feet by 2100. This rapid change has already impacted the city's infrastructure and residents' lives.
The city has had to build sand berms to protect oceanfront properties from high tides and south swells, a task that has become more challenging due to limited space. Long Beach is now considering a project to dredge 415,000 cubic yards of sand from the Alamitos Bay Channel to replenish the beach and potentially reduce the need for berms. However, the city's long-term plans to restore kelp beds and rocky reefs have stalled, leaving the peninsula vulnerable.
Residents' experiences on the peninsula highlight the changing landscape. Charles Thomas, a long-time resident, recalls a time when the beach was wider and more suitable for large gatherings. However, recent high tides have caused water to flood over eroded berms and towards his house. Siobhan Gadallah, a recent tenant, describes the intense waves that splash over the berms, posing a potential danger to children. Despite the challenges, she finds comfort in the sandbags that help protect her porch from flooding.
The future of Long Beach's peninsula is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the city must adapt to living with high water. As Merrifield notes, understanding how to coexist with rising sea levels is a new reality that Long Beach and other coastal communities will need to embrace.
