Record tides flood Southern California beach businesses

Record-breaking king tides have flooded beachside businesses from Redondo Beach to Long Beach this week. The high water forced one burger shop to close and caused damage to floors and equipment at other establishments.

Rashel Mereness, co-owner of the Slip sports bar in Redondo Beach, was on vacation when the water rose. She called staff to assess the damage and learned that a city trash can had floated past the bar. Mereness said the sandbags they installed were not sufficient for the volume of water. She noted that the ocean has breached the seawall every day since Monday.

The Slip staff used a Shop-Vac to remove water each morning. By afternoon, the bar reopened for regular service. Mereness and her partners estimate they lost about 30 percent of their business on Tuesday due to the flooding.

At Project Barley in Redondo Beach, the sea flooded both the main bar and the adjacent Next Door Bar on Tuesday. The water damaged the hardwood floors at Next Door Bar, which will need replacement. Co-owner Joe Smith said this was the first time staff had to wade in water to open the doors in the morning. Smith said the business is offering a discount on beers this week and continuing with planned events.

Matthew Chernus, owner of Grill ’Em All in Long Beach, closed his restaurant on Monday. Water entered through cracks in windows and doors, filling the dining room and patio with ankle-deep water. Chernus described the cleanup as physically and mentally draining. He said the sand-covered trash bins were heavy like cement.

Quality Seafood, a Redondo Beach market operating since 1953, saw an increase in sales. Manager Adam Hurley said the flooding was gradual rather than violent. General manager Marcia Bamba said the business has never closed in her 29 years there, despite frequent weather warnings.

Scientists warn that tides will strengthen again in November and December. El Niño is expected to bring heavy rains during that period. Project Barley co-owner Joe Smith said tides could reach 8 feet by late November. Smith and his partner are designing new barriers to prepare for the coming months.