The natural disaster I worried about the most while living in Orange County and Long Beach was definitely earthquakes.

After all, I've heard so many stories about when a big earthquake might hit.

But now, I find myself seeing news about coastal flooding that could submerge roads and homes.

I live in Long Beach. One of the biggest attractions of this area is its proximity to the ocean.

I enjoy walking on the beach or feeling the ocean breeze on weekends, and I like that I can enjoy city life without the chaos of LA.

However, today I saw the news that a coastal flood warning and advisory have been issued for the entire Southern California coastline.

There's a flood warning for Orange County and the southern coastal areas, while a flood advisory has been issued for the northern coastal regions.

It could last until this Thursday.

At first, I thought it was just heavy rain. But after reading the details, I realized it wasn't due to rain.

The combination of high tides and large waves is expected to submerge low-lying coastal areas.

This was a bit unfamiliar to me. Southern California is known for its sunny weather.

Of course, I've seen roads flood due to heavy winter rains, but I never paid much attention to warnings about ocean water potentially damaging homes or businesses.

But then I thought about how there are neighborhoods in Long Beach that are almost at sea level.

Areas like Belmont Shore and Naples are close to the ocean and canals, making for beautiful scenery, but in situations where water levels rise, it's definitely concerning.

Especially in Naples, there are many places where boats are docked right in front of homes.

While it's a picturesque view most of the time, things could change dramatically with high tides and large waves.

The forecast advises caution during high tide in the morning hours.

When waves coincide, the actual ocean water level could be higher than expected, and some beaches may experience coastal erosion as sand is washed away.

Of course, this doesn't mean that all of Long Beach will be submerged. It's just certain low-lying areas along the coast that are at risk.

But when news like this comes out, it makes me uneasy.

The coastal roads I usually pass without a thought could be closed due to flooding, and I might regret parking my car near the beach.

Especially if rush hour coincides with high tide, I can't imagine what the road conditions will be like.

Those who live in Long Beach know that if the coastal road is blocked, finding an alternate route isn't easy.

Natural disasters are quite peculiar.

We worry about the ground shaking during an earthquake, the flames and smoke during a wildfire, and whether roads will flood during heavy rain.

Of course, these phenomena haven't just suddenly appeared.

There have been instances of coastal flooding due to high tides and waves in the past.

However, thinking that something I usually overlooked could become an issue in my own neighborhood feels different.

This week, I plan to avoid leaving my car parked near the beach for long periods, and if I need to go toward the coast, I'll check the road conditions first.

If you live in low-lying coastal areas, it's wise to consider the possibility of water entering your garage or front door.

And if ocean water is pooling on the road, it's best to avoid driving into it.

From this news, I've realized something else.

I thought living in Southern California meant I only had to worry about earthquakes, but in reality, there are many concerns like wildfires, heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding.

That said, there's no need to live in fear. It's good to be aware of what natural disasters your neighborhood is vulnerable to.

I hope this flood warning passes without causing significant damage.

I've really only worried about earthquakes in my life, but now I have to check the ocean water levels when I wake up in the morning.