King tides flood Redondo Beach and Long Beach businesses

Record-breaking king tides have flooded beachside bars and restaurants in Redondo Beach and Long Beach, forcing at least one business to close and causing costly damage to others. The high water, driven by a combination of astronomical events and warm ocean currents, has breached seawalls and boardwalks across Southern California.

Rashel Mereness, co-owner of the Slip sports bar in Redondo Beach, said the ocean has breached the local seawall every day since Monday. Her staff used sandbags and shop vacs to keep the interior dry, but the bar still lost about 30% of its business on Tuesday. Mereness noted that the flooding was the most severe she had experienced, adding that customers were initially deterred by the news.

In Long Beach, owner Matthew Chernus closed his restaurant, Grill 'Em All, on Monday after water filled the patio and dining room to ankle depth. Chernus, who opened the shop in 2023, described the event as a financial setback. He reported that water trickled under floorboards and through side doors, requiring staff to clean sand that had hardened like cement. He said the physical toll of cleaning and re-securing the restaurant was significant.

At Project Barley and Next Door Bar in Redondo Beach, the floodwater damaged hardwood floors on Tuesday. Co-owner Joe Smith said this was the first time staff had to wade through water to open the doors. The business placed plastic sheeting over the floors and is offering a dollar off beers this week. Smith noted that while the open-air design attracts customers, it also makes it difficult to keep water out.

Quality Seafood, a Redondo Beach staple since 1953, reported an increase in sales compared to the previous Tuesday. Manager Adam Hurley said the flooding was gradual, similar to a bathtub filling up, rather than the violent waves seen in other areas. General manager Marcia Bamba said the business remained open despite the weather, a pattern she has maintained for 29 years.

Scientists warn that tides will strengthen again in November and December, potentially reaching 8 feet in height. This comes alongside heavy rains expected from El Niño. Business owners are reinforcing barriers and planning for these conditions. Smith said he and his partner are designing new barriers to withstand the brunt of the coming weather.

At Grill 'Em All, Chernus is preparing with tarps, sandbags, and temporary sand berms. He said he does not want to repeat the cleaning process from Monday but expects to face similar conditions as the winter season approaches.