California braces for coastal flooding as storms and high waves approach

The US state of California is preparing for a series of storms bringing heavy rain and powerful waves, which are expected to reach heights of up to nine meters off the coasts of San Francisco and Big Sur.

The US National Weather Service has warned that strong waves could surge onto beaches and overtop sea barriers, potentially flooding low-lying coastal areas and nearby facilities.

The agency has urged people to stay out of the water and away from piers, harbors, and rocky areas to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

These warnings follow damage in Long Beach in recent weeks, where waves from a tropical storm destroyed parts of the waterfront, flooded a residential neighborhood, and damaged homes now at risk of collapse.