By admin 
LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — Residents along the Long Beach Peninsula are making last-minute preparations to protect their homes as rain, high waves and king tides approach the area.
Read more Juvenile with handgun taken into custody at Bell Gardens High School, police say
The especially high tides are in the forecast between Oct. 26 and 28.
Eyewitness News saw many homes boarded up in the area, with dozens of sandbags meticulously placed around properties. Residents were monitoring conditions before sunrise as waves crashed along the peninsula.
“This is such a shock, I think, to the whole community that it just got to this level,” Long Beach resident Marilyn Perona said.
SEE ALSO: Newport Beach declares state of emergency ahead of expected king tides
“I’m blown away. The water’s never been this far, this close like this. It’s pretty bad,” resident Tomache said.
Long Beach crews are building emergency berms to try to strengthen the shoreline and protect the peninsula from additional damage. Heavy machinery is being used to bring in tons of sand to replace material that’s been washed out to sea.
The project involves more than 400,000 cubic yards of sand and is expected to expand the beach by roughly 200 feet.
RELATED: Aerial view shows extent of destruction to homes along Long Beach coast
“They’re doing a pretty good job so far. They’re holding it back. But not if that water wants to come up. It’s never been like this, never,” Tomache said.
Read more New bodycam video shows Long Beach police confronting alleged gunman after chase ends in DTLA crash
The dredging project was already part of a city-approved plan to move sand from Alamitos Bay to the peninsula shoreline. Long Beach officials said the effort is intended to protect homes and preserve the bay by creating a larger buffer against wave action as the community prepares for an El Niño winter.
“Well, it was always in the plan. The 10-year plan, they said, was to start there and start adding our beach back. Whether we can hang on to it? I’d throw some rock in it,” Perona said.
SEE ALSO: Days of destructive waves from Tropical Storm Rachel leave 13 structures red-tagged in Long Beach
Residents said they welcome the work, but believe the peninsula has already sustained significant damage.
“I think we got their attention, the city, finally. I mean, they’ve got to save the peninsula. This has been here long before me,” Perona said.
The city is also distributing free sandbags and inspecting catch basins in flood-prone areas to ensure they are clear of debris.
Read more Nick Reiner case: Judge to decide if transcripts in grand jury indictment should be unsealed