Long Beach reinforces coast as Hurricane Polo swells approach

Long Beach is reinforcing its vulnerable Peninsula coastline and preparing residents for possible flooding as swells from Hurricane Polo approach, following damage caused by Hurricane Marie earlier this month. City crews have begun installing a temporary barrier of heavy geotextile sandbags along parts of the bulkhead, while officials warn that Polo’s local effects remain uncertain. The sandbags are intended to absorb some wave energy before it reaches the seawall. City officials said crews placed dozens of the bags, each weighing about 3,000 pounds, near 66th Place and fastened them together along the bulkhead. The city described the installation as a pilot and said it would assess how the barrier performs during the swell event. Long Beach officials forecast waves of 4 to 6 feet that could coincide with tides approaching 7 feet. They said the greatest flooding risk was expected Monday and Tuesday, with swells potentially affecting the coastline through Wednesday. The forecast does not establish that flooding or damage will occur, and officials have said the storm’s precise local impacts are unclear.