Weather 
LONG BEACH, Calif. () — Residents along the Long Beach Peninsula are making last-minute preparations to protect their homes as rain, high waves and king tides approach the area.
The especially high tides are in the forecast between Oct. 26 and 28.
Eyewitness News saw many homes boarded up in the area, with dozens of sandbags meticulously placed around properties. Residents were monitoring conditions before sunrise as waves crashed along the peninsula.
“This is such a shock, I think, to the whole community that it just got to this level,” Long Beach resident Marilyn Perona said.
SEE ALSO: Newport Beach declares state of emergency ahead of expected king tides
The Newport Beach City Council on Monday night declared a state of emergency ahead of expected king tides forecast between October 26 and 28.
“I’m blown away. The water’s never been this far, this close like this. It’s pretty bad,” resident Tomache said.
Long Beach crews are building emergency berms to try to strengthen the shoreline and protect the peninsula from additional damage. Heavy machinery is being used to bring in tons of sand to replace material that’s been washed out to sea.
The project involves more than 400,000 cubic yards of sand and is expected to expand the beach by roughly 200 feet.
RELATED: Aerial view shows extent of destruction to homes along Long Beach coast
Long Beach homeowners along the peninsula are continuing to assess damage and reinforce their properties as strong surf continues threatening homes.
“They’re doing a pretty good job so far. They’re holding it back. But not if that water wants to come up. It’s never been like this, never,” Tomache said.
The dredging project was already part of a city-approved plan to move sand from Alamitos Bay to the peninsula shoreline. Long Beach officials said the effort is intended to protect homes and preserve the bay by creating a larger buffer against wave action as the community prepares for an El Niño winter.
“Well, it was always in the plan. The 10-year plan, they said, was to start there and start adding our beach back. Whether we can hang on to it? I’d throw some rock in it,” Perona said.
SEE ALSO: Days of destructive waves from Tropical Storm Rachel leave 13 structures red-tagged in Long Beach
Relentless waves are damaging homes and washing away the sand beneath their foundations in Long Beach as inspectors assess the growing destruction.
Residents said they welcome the work, but believe the peninsula has already sustained significant damage.
“I think we got their attention, the city, finally. I mean, they’ve got to save the peninsula. This has been here long before me,” Perona said.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson says dredging is moving at a feverish pace, and the city is ready to activate its plan to protect residents.
“When the storms do take place, the number one priority is safety. That means we may have to close a street,” Richardson said. “At times, we issue warnings to evacuate.”
The city is also distributing free sandbags and inspecting catch basins in flood-prone areas to ensure they are clear of debris.
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