(NewsNation) — People in California are bracing for the effects of Hurricane Polo, which could bring coastal erosion and dangerous surf with its death bans.
In Dana Point, California, coastal erosion brings with it the threat that more houses in the community will be lost to the sea. Homeowners in the area have begun constructing a temporary rock barrier using their own savings.
Resident Natalie Driessen joins “Katie Pavlich Tonight” to discuss how high surf and strong coastal currents are accelerating beach erosion, putting oceanfront homes at risk. Driessen and a neighbor let the district know about the issue in October 2025. This summer things progressively got worse, according to Drissen.
Pacific Hurricanes Nolo and Polo continue to strengthen
“Labor Day, all of a sudden, about 20 houses were hit,” Drissen said. “We’ve lost three completely into the ocean. There’s another 10 that are red tagged and seven that are yellow tagged.”
A red tag is given when a house becomes uninhabitable; in these cases, the state turns off the gas, water, and disconnects the sewer. A yellow tag means the house can be used with caution but that the home is in danger of getting red tagged.
During the fifties and sixties, the harbors were installed, and the Army Corps of Engineers had told the county and other bureaus that sand replenishment must be done, as the natural flow is being interrupted by the harbors, according to Driessen.
“And so this has been going on for years, and there’s been some sand replenishment, but very little,” Driessen said. “And there’s been multiple people that have said on camera, who work for Orange County saying we failed to do sand replenishment and we were supposed to.”
The town has secured an emergency permit to build the rock wall, but they will need to apply for a permanent permit. On Friday, the mayor of Dana Point assisted with the effort to construct the wall. The community is desperately trying to save the homes they can as the effects of Hurricane Polo near.
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