Posted on October 23, 2026
LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — Amid relatively calm weather conditions, crews in Long Beach this week continued working on a dredging project aimed at stabilizing the seawall, boardwalk and protective sand berms on the Alamitos Peninsula.
The city is spending millions of dollars on the project before severe conditions fueled by the “super El Niño” are expected to arrive later this year. The plan is to scoop up sand from Alamitos Bay and bring it to the Peninsula — enough sand to fill about 125 Olympic-size pools.
The proactive work is underway as heavy rain is expected to move into Southern California sometime Wednesday and continue into Thursday.
In interviews with ABC7, some residents said they appreciate what the city has done so far to protect their houses.
“We’re neighbors, this is the Peninsula. That’s what makes this a special place,” Kim Kabar said. “It is so special, and yet it is time-limited and we know it. We know it. Everyone knows it. Will the peninsula exist in a hundred years? Hope so, but eventually not.”
Sandbags have been strategically placed to keep sea water out of the Peninsula’s beachfront homes. Four Long Beach Fire Department stations have made sand and sandbags available for residents.
“Just as a reminder, it doesn’t have to be coastal, it could be anybody that’s been affected by flooding,” said Melanie Miller, a Fire Department spokeswoman. “So it could be low-lying areas. If you’ve been prone to flooding in the past, take that kind of as your warning. You know you’ve seen that and prepare for that so this is why we’re being proactive.”
After spending much of her life here, Deborah Knowlton was curious to see how her old neighborhood and home are holding up.
“What worries me is that this will go, this will continue to be damaged and flattened,” she said.
