The National Weather Service warned beachgoers to expect strong rip currents, elevated surf and minor coastal flooding along Newport Beach's shoreline from Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27.

NWS San Diego issued a beach hazards statement Thursday, Sept. 24, at 12:38 p.m., covering the Orange County and San Diego County coasts, the O.C. Register reported. The statement takes effect Friday at 5 a.m. and runs through Sunday at 5 p.m.

The agency forecasts surf of 3 to 5 feet with sets up to 6 feet. Astronomical high tides are expected to reach about 6.2 feet, gradually building past 6.5 feet by Sunday. That combination is expected to produce minor tidal overflow, minor coastal erosion and strong rip currents during high tides, according to the NWS statement.

Newport Beach crews already at work

The warning arrives as city crews reinforce coastline berms on the Balboa Peninsula and Corona del Mar State Beach, city spokesperson Georgia Rios told the Los Angeles Times.

The city is offering free sandbags.

Newport Beach's coast is still recovering from Hurricane Marie's swells earlier in September. Waves of 10 to 15 feet stripped away large amounts of sand at the Wedge, according to the Times.

NWS San Diego meteorologist Sam Zuber told the Times that the swells coincide with twice-monthly astronomical high tides, meaning water levels will already be elevated.

"We might get a little uptick in elevated surf," Zuber said. "But the tides are going to be so high that any little bump-up in the surf is going to help contribute to those impacts."

Hurricane Polo could extend the threat

The weekend hazards statement is separate from the approaching effects of Hurricane Polo. Polo is not expected to make landfall in California but could send additional swells toward the coast, according to the Times. NWS San Diego expects Polo's effects to be most noticeable Monday and Monday, Sept. 28 and 29.

As we reported Sept. 22, Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide El Niño emergency declaration is helping expedite permits for coastal protection work. Newport Beach is working with Orange County to relocate sand from the Santa Ana River mouth to its west jetties ahead of expected winter storms, Rios told the Times.

Zuber advised the public to stay away from beaches Sunday through Tuesday, Sept. 29. Residents can pick up free sandbags from the city and should monitor NWS forecasts for updates through Sunday, Sept. 27.