Sewer backups
When streets flood, seawater and runoff can get into the sewer system. The sewer has to go somewhere, and the lowest drains in your house are the exit: a floor drain, a shower, a ground floor toilet.
Homeowner guide
King tides and flood plumbing in Newport Beach
When the harbor rises, your plumbing is the first thing in the house to feel it. This guide covers what flooding does to sewer lines, water heaters and gas connections, and what to do before and after the next high tide.
Call (949) 620-1945Request service
Written and fact-checked by John, editor, MBA in marketing
Updated against City, utility and state sources
Quick answer
King tides are the highest tides of the year. In Newport Beach they can flood low streets on the Peninsula, Balboa Island and other harborfront areas. That water can push into sewers, back up through floor drains and toilets, and soak garage water heaters and gas connections. Prepare with sandbags, a tight cleanout cap and a backwater valve, and never relight a flooded gas appliance.
- 2026 emergencies
- Oct 9 and Oct 19
- Next king tides
- Thanksgiving week, Dec 22 to 26
- City tidal valves
- 86 at bayside street ends
- Free sandbags
- 10 per resident, 592 Superior Ave
What a king tide is and why Newport Beach feels it
A king tide is the local name for the highest tides of the year. NOAA calls the effect a perigean spring tide. It happens when the moon is new or full and also at its closest point to Earth, which lines up a few times a year and pushes high tide noticeably above normal.
Newport Beach is built around a harbor that sits at sea level. Balboa Island, Newport Island, Lido Isle and the bay side of the Peninsula are all close to the high tide line, and many streets drain to the bay through storm drain openings at the street ends. When the tide rises above those openings, bay water can flow back into the street instead of rain flowing out.
A king tide on a calm day may only cause street ponding. Add a storm, big surf or a tropical swell, and the same tide can put water over seawalls and into garages. That is what happened in October 2026.
The 2026 flooding so far
Fall 2026 brought two local emergencies in under two weeks, with more high tides forecast into the new year.
- June 13 to 16
Summer king tides
The City warned harborfront residents to install seawall plugs and place sandbags, and crews installed flood protection gap boards on Balboa Island.
- October 9
Tropical Storm Rachel swells
Ocean water flooded streets across the Balboa Peninsula, stranded vehicles and damaged homes and businesses. The City declared a local emergency the same day.
- October 19
Second emergency declaration
At a special meeting, City Council declared another local emergency ahead of the October 26 to 28 king tides and activated the Emergency Operations Center.
- October 26 to 29
King tides flood the Peninsula again
Ocean levels ran as much as 22 inches above predicted levels, according to reporting on National Weather Service data. Crews reinforced berms, placed sandbags and staged pumps.
- Thanksgiving week
Five days of king tides
Forecast high tides start between 6.5 and 7 feet, with potential highs as high as 8.8 feet.
- December 22 to 26
The last king tides of 2026
The final king tide stretch of the year falls during Christmas week, when many homes are full of guests.
Which Newport Beach streets flood first
The City has named these low-lying areas as the most likely to flood during high tides:
- Newport Island
- Balboa Island
- Finley Tract
- Lido Village
- Balboa Village
- LaFayette Avenue
- The Peninsula
- Portions of the Marcus River and Lake Avenue area
The City's storm drain crew maintains 86 tidal valves at the ends of selected bayside streets. Those valves are meant to keep the rising tide from flowing into the street through storm drain openings. Crews also run 18 pumps that drain standing water at street ends. That system helps, but it cannot keep up when waves overtop seawalls or berms.
What floodwater does to your plumbing
Flooding causes plumbing damage you can see right away and damage that shows up weeks later.
Open or broken cleanouts
The sewer cleanout in your yard or side yard is a capped pipe straight into your lateral. A missing, cracked or loose cap lets floodwater pour directly into your sewer line.
Flooded water heaters
Many Peninsula and Balboa Island homes keep a gas water heater in the garage at street level. If water reaches the burner area or the gas control valve, the unit is not safe to run until it is inspected.
Salt left on metal
Seawater leaves salt on copper, brass and steel gas fittings. Corrosion keeps working after the water drains, so leaks at hose bibs, valves and gas connectors can appear weeks later.
Ground level equipment
Wall-mounted tankless heaters, pool and spa equipment, irrigation backflow devices and outdoor shutoffs near grade take the same hit as a garage water heater.
Contaminated fixtures
Anything floodwater touched, from a laundry sink to a floor drain trap, should be treated as contaminated until it is cleaned and flushed.
How to get your home ready before a king tide
Most flood damage to plumbing is cheaper to prevent than to repair. Work through this list a week before the next tide.
Get sandbags
The City offers 10 sandbags per resident at the Municipal Operations Department Corporation Yard, 592 Superior Avenue. Bring proof of Newport Beach residency, and call (949) 644-3055 to confirm availability. During the October 2026 emergencies, empty bags were also handed out at fire stations and by lifeguards on the Peninsula. Beach sand works for filling empty bags.
Install your seawall plugs
If your property backs onto the harbor, the City asks you to install seawall plugs and place sandbags at vulnerable spots before each high tide.
Check your sewer cleanout cap
Find the cleanout, usually a 3 or 4 inch capped pipe near the front of the house or along a side yard. Make sure the cap is present, threaded tight and not cracked. A replacement cap is a small part that can prevent a large backup.
Ask about a backwater valve
A backwater valve lets wastewater leave your house but closes when the sewer pushes back. The California Plumbing Code requires one for fixtures installed on a floor lower than the next upstream sewer manhole cover. Many older harbor homes were built before anyone thought about it. See our backwater valve and flood repair page.
Learn your shutoffs
Know where your main water shutoff is and how to close the gas at the meter. Keep a gas shutoff wrench at the meter. If you are unsure, we can walk you through it on a service visit.
Lift what you can
Move stored items away from the water heater and off the garage floor. If you are planning to replace a garage water heater anyway, ask about raising it or relocating it during the job.
Move your car
The City urges residents to move vehicles off flood-prone streets during king tide events.
During the flood: what not to do
- Do not run water. If streets are flooded, every flush and shower adds to the load on a sewer that may already be full.
- Do not open the sewer cleanout to "let it drain." That can turn a street problem into a house problem.
- Do not walk through floodwater near electrical panels or outlets.
- If you smell gas, leave the house and call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from outside, or 911.
- Stay off the sand berms. The City asks residents not to climb or walk on them.
After the water goes down
The first hours after a flood decide how much of your plumbing you keep.
Leave flooded gas appliances off
Do not relight a gas water heater, furnace or dryer that sat in water. Turn the gas off to that appliance. Water can damage the gas control valve, burner and venting in ways you cannot see.
Test your drains slowly
Run one fixture at a time on the lowest floor. If the drain gurgles, rises or backs up into a tub, stop and call a plumber. The lateral may be full of sand or debris.
Photograph everything
Take photos of the water line on walls, the water heater, the electrical panel and any damaged fixtures before cleanup. Your insurance adjuster will want them.
Rinse exposed fittings
Rinse salt off hose bibs, exposed copper and outdoor valves with fresh water. Watch them over the next few weeks for green or white crust and slow drips.
Get an inspection
Call (949) 620-1945. We check the water heater, gas connections and venting, camera the sewer line if it backed up, and look over exposed fittings for salt damage. You get a written price before any repair.
Repair or replace a flooded water heater?
A water heater that took floodwater above the burner compartment or control valve usually needs replacement. Gas water heater manuals commonly warn against using a unit with any part that has been under water until a qualified technician inspects it. Saltwater makes the case for replacement stronger because it corrodes the gas valve and burner parts.
If water only reached the base of the tank and never touched the controls, a plumber may be able to clean, inspect and return it to service. Either way, a replacement in Newport Beach needs a City plumbing permit, seismic strapping and the shutoff and union details the inspector checks. Our permit guide explains them, and our water heater page covers the job.
Often repairable
- Water touched the floor pan or base only
- Controls, burner and venting stayed dry
- Unit is under 8 years old and otherwise healthy
Usually replace
- Water reached the gas control valve or burner
- Saltwater exposure
- Unit was already older or leaking
Flood plumbing checklist by type of home
Beach cottage or duplex
Ground floor toilets and showers are your most likely backup points. Check the cleanout cap, keep a plunger and gloves handy, and talk to a plumber about a backwater valve. If the water heater sits in a street-level garage, plan its next replacement with flooding in mind.
Harborfront home with a seawall
Seawall plugs and sandbags come first. Then look at everything metal near the water: hose bibs, dock water lines, gas risers and outdoor shutoffs. Salt spray and overtopping waves corrode them faster than inland fittings.
Condo or vacation rental
Know who controls the main shutoff and the building cleanout. Post the shutoff location and an emergency number for guests. After a flood, report backups to the HOA or manager in writing.
Longer term protection for harborfront homes
If your street floods more than once a year, a few plumbing upgrades are worth pricing:
- A backwater valve on the main sewer line, with a labeled cleanout
- A threaded, lockable cleanout cap at grade, or a raised cleanout
- Moving or raising the water heater during the next replacement
- Swapping corroded brass hose bibs and gas risers for new parts
- A yearly sewer camera inspection if sand has entered the lateral before
The City is also investing in public protection: berm work, pumps, tidal valves and sand replenishment for eroded West Newport beaches. Those projects protect streets. The plumbing inside your property line is yours to protect.
Water where it shouldn't be? Call now.
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Questions Newport Beach homeowners ask
When are the next king tides in Newport Beach?
Forecasts call for a five-day run of king tides over Thanksgiving week 2026, with predicted highs of 6.5 to 7 feet and potential peaks near 8.8 feet. The last king tides of the year fall December 22 to 26. Check the City's news page before each event.
Why does my toilet gurgle or back up when the street floods?
Floodwater can get into the sewer system and fill it. Your lowest drains, often a ground floor toilet or shower, become the overflow point. Stop running water until the street drains, then call a plumber if it keeps backing up.
Can I use my water heater after it sat in floodwater?
Not until a plumber inspects it. Floodwater, especially saltwater, can damage the gas control valve, burner and venting. Leave the gas off to the unit and do not relight it. Many flooded units need replacement.
Where do I get sandbags in Newport Beach?
The City offers 10 sandbags per resident at the Corporation Yard, 592 Superior Avenue, with proof of residency. Call (949) 644-3055 to confirm availability. During emergencies, empty bags have also been offered at fire stations and by Peninsula lifeguards.
Does a backwater valve stop sewer backups from king tides?
A backwater valve closes when the sewer pushes back toward your house, so it is the main plumbing defense against sewer backflow. It does not stop surface water from coming in through doors or garages. It needs a permit and periodic checks to keep working.
Which Newport Beach neighborhoods flood most often?
The City lists Newport Island, Balboa Island, Finley Tract, Lido Village, Balboa Village, LaFayette Avenue, the Peninsula and parts of the Marcus River and Lake Avenue area as most likely to flood during high tides.
Is flood damage to plumbing covered by insurance?
It depends on your policy. Standard homeowners policies often exclude flood, while separate flood policies and some sewer backup endorsements may cover parts of the damage. Photograph everything before cleanup and call your agent before you authorize major repairs.
What should I do if I smell gas after a flood?
Leave the house right away without flipping switches. From outside, call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 or 911. Once the gas company makes it safe, call a plumber to repair the line or appliance connection.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these public sources, checked October 31, 2026.
- City of Newport Beach: City advises residents to prepare for king tides
- City of Newport Beach: Flooding and sandbag information
- ABC7: Newport Beach declares local emergency after Tropical Storm Rachel flooding
- Fox LA: Newport Beach braces for potentially record-breaking king tides
- Fox LA: Sandbags and Peninsula flooding, October 2026
- The Inertia: Newport Beach braces for king tides, declares local emergency
- NOAA: What is a perigean spring tide (via City of Savannah)
- California Plumbing Code 710.1, backflow protection (2025 CPC reference)
- SoCalGas: gas leak safety