Long Beach officials were working “around the clock” Saturday to build a sand berm meant to protect the beach and surrounding properties during a high surf advisory, according to a fire department official.
High surf was expected at Southland beaches over the weekend with breakers of 4 to 7 feet.
“We haven’t taken this berm down since last week when Hurricane Marie was in town,” Long Beach Fire Department spokesman Jake Heflin said. “We’re still continuing to build that berm up around the clock and making sure that we’re taking those preventative measures … to protect our community.”
Hurricane Marie caused at least three breaches in the seawall that protects the Long Beach port, one of the largest in the county, the Army Corps of Engineers reported Thursday.
Hurricane Norbert was expected to bring similar waves, and possibly cause beach erosion, dangerous rip currents and “sneaker waves” atop rocks and jetties, according to the National Weather Service.
The Long Beach berm was about two miles long and 36 feet wide, stretching along the peninsula from 55th Place to 72nd Place (map).
Beachgoers were asked not to climb on the berm because it could be diminished.
The berm was also not stable and those who attempted to walk on it may fall off and into the water, Heflin said.