Hurricane-powered waves batter California coastline sparking massive rockslide at beauty spot

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-30 19:21:50 | Updated at 2026-09-30 21:37:56 2 hours ago

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Waves from the remnants of Hurricane Polo battered California’s Golden Coast Tuesday, sparking a powerful rockslide in Orange County.

The tempest has been downgraded to a tropical storm and is gradually weakening as it travels through Mexico.

Polo’s remains are expected to hit New Mexico and Texas before it peters out. Officials warned of potential “life-threatening flash flooding” in the southwest into early Wednesday.

A rock slide is seen at the Agate Street beach access below the stairway viewpoint in Laguna Beach, Orange County. City of Laguna Beach

A large rockslide near Laguna Beach’s Agate Street beach access Tuesday afternoon dirtied the water and forced the beach’s closure, officials said. No injuries have been reported.

“Fire and Marine Safety crews responded and closed access, and a geologist will survey the site,” officials wrote on social media. “Please stay out of the area and follow all posted closures. We’ll share updates as we learn more.”

Fire and Marine Safety crews responded and closed access after the slide wiped out a large chunk of a seaside bluff. City of Laguna Beach

Pictures from the scene showed strong waves pummeling the cliffs.

Hurricane Polo never hit Los Angeles but was expected to disrupt coastal communities with its strong swells. A Coastal Flood Advisory also remained for Orange County and San Diego County until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday ended an earlier warning for high surf and coastal flooding, but said dangerous ocean conditions could linger.

“The surf from Hurricane Polo has peaked and will lower rather quickly through Wednesday, but strong rip currents may linger,” the bulletin read.

Laguna Beach is a coastal paradise in Orange County around 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. City of Laguna Beach

“While the high tide will be lower on Wednesday compared to today, it will lower only a little and will likely still be above 7.0 feet.”

Long Beach, Newport Beach and other coastal communities spent resources and directed manpower to shore up their defenses before the storm.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency for the upcoming El Niño earlier this month, anticipating potentially destructive winter storms that could cause flooding, landslides and coastal erosion.

Laguna Beach is a coastal paradise in Orange County around 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.