News Summary
Orange County faced significant disruptions recently with beach evacuations due to lightning near Newport and Huntington Beach. Officials prioritized public safety by evacuating waterfront areas, suspending ferry operations, and closing beaches. In a separate incident, a shooting near Newport Beach Pier resulted in one injury and multiple arrests. Additionally, a sewage spill in Costa Mesa caused further beach closures, impacting local water safety. Authorities are urging the public to stay informed and cautious during these events.
Lightning Prompts Beach Evacuations Along Orange County Coastline
Newport Beach and Huntington Beach implemented evacuation procedures on Tuesday, June 3, due to lightning in the vicinity. Newport Beach officials urged residents and visitors to evacuate the water and sand areas and seek shelter indoors as storm cells were confirmed moving toward the coastline.
Officials communicated their commitment to public safety through social media, indicating that updates would be provided as the storm conditions evolved. As a precautionary measure, operations of the Balboa Ferry were suspended, and Huntington Beach officially closed its beaches after ground strikes were detected approximately 8 miles away. In response to the threat, city spokesperson Corbin Carson confirmed that waterfront and beachfront areas were being evacuated, and the pier was cleared to ensure safety.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the storm cells were passing through the area and were expected to dissipate within an hour. Monitoring continued in surrounding areas, resulting in the closure of Laguna Beach beaches. An alert was issued at approximately 5:15 p.m., indicating that the beaches would reopen 30 minutes after the storm had passed, and by just before 7 p.m., the beaches were reopened to the public.
Prior to the storm-related evacuations, San Clemente Marine Safety Lt. Sean Staudenbaur announced preparations were underway for potential beach closures as the storm approached. On-site lifeguards at all state-operated beaches, including Huntington Beach and Bolsa Chica, were alerting beachgoers over public address systems to avoid the water amidst the incoming storms.
Meanwhile, Seal Beach officials reported that their beaches and pier had closed around 3:50 p.m. due to lightning strikes in the area, with plans to reopen after a 30-minute period of no detected lightning within a 10-mile radius.
Shooting Incident Near Newport Beach Pier
In a separate incident, a shooting occurred near the Newport Beach Pier on Sunday at approximately 7:40 p.m. The altercation involved two men fighting in the street, which escalated into gunfire. One person sustained a foot injury but is expected to recover.
Authorities have arrested four suspects, including a 17-year-old who has not been identified and 18-year-old David Pennington. The suspects’ vehicle was tracked down near the 55 Freeway at Fair Drive in Costa Mesa with assistance from Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa police departments. A handgun was recovered during the arrests as part of the ongoing investigation, and officials have encouraged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward.
Sewage Spill Causes Coastal Closures
Also affecting the coastal regions was a sewage spill that occurred the previous Saturday, resulting in beach closures in parts of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. The Orange County Health Care Agency reported that roughly 4,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean due to a grease blockage in a sewer line located in Costa Mesa. Currently, the coastal water area extending from the Talbert Channel outfall at Huntington State Beach to Grant Street is closed, prohibiting swimming, surfing, and diving until further notice.
For additional information regarding the sewage spill, members of the public are directed to contact the Orange County Health Care Agency or visit their official website.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Beachgoers Evacuated Following Lightning Strikes
- Wikipedia: Lightning
- ABC7: Shooting Near Newport Beach Pier
- Google Search: Shooting Newport Beach Pier
- NBC Los Angeles: Ocean Water Closed Due to Sewage Spill
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sewage Collection
- KTLA: 4,000-Gallon Sewage Spill
- Google News: Sewage Spill Newport Huntington Beach
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
