Severe Erosion Affects Aliso Beach Amid El Niño Conditions

Aliso Beach in Orange County has experienced severe erosion this summer, primarily due to long-period Southern Hemisphere swells combined with an El Niño-driven hurricane season. The beach, popular for activities like skimboarding and surfing, has lost substantial sand, necessitating emergency sand replenishment from the City of Laguna Beach.

Local videographer Greg Viviani shared videos illustrating the damage, which has exposed riprap, a seawall, and remnants of a pier that was removed in 1998 after similar erosion. The parking lot has also been compromised, and infrastructure damage threatens the beach's palm trees. The city has closed the parking lot and removed power lines to mitigate risks.

While beach erosion is typical during the summer, Viviani noted that this season's impact is unprecedented, even before the peak of hurricane season. Predictions indicate that upcoming tropical storms could further intensify erosion at Aliso Beach, raising concerns for safety.