Lakers’ Luka Doncic using last year’s injury to fuel championship hopes

• October 10, 2026

EL SEGUNDO — In an expansive interview for a Sports Illustrated cover shoot during the offseason in Slovenia, Luka Doncic reminisced over how the 2025-26 season ended for him.

Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring string in Oklahoma City on April 2, admitting that he deserved blame for remaining in the late regular-season game against the Thunder after already feeling his hamstring injury earlier during the game.

“When it comes to my spirit of trying to win, I am just stubborn,” Doncic told Sports Illustrated, in the article that was released earlier this week. “I felt a little bit in the first half that I should have just stopped. I should have come out. I think we had a team that could compete for the championship. I definitely regret it””

Speaking Saturday afternoon, Doncic addressed his comments with local media.

“You saw what I said about my injury,” the Slovenian star said. “First of all, my thought was just to get fully healthy and obviously (I) had the whole summer for that and I feel great. But obviously I thought we had a team that could compete for a championship, so it was kind of disappointing. Kind of let the team down, so it’s definitely motivating for this season.”

Doncic, who led the league in scoring last season with 33.5 points per game on his way to All-NBA honors, has been clear during the first few weeks of the preseason: He had a say – alongside coach JJ Redick and President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Rob Pelinka – on how the new roster was assembled in a post-LeBron James era.

Nine new players and a new defensive identity – Doncic smirked when discussing the defensive tenants of Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle on Saturday – has the 27-year-old star feeling confident over the Lakers’ title hopes in the 2026-27 season.

The Lakers tip off their season Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.

“Since the first day,” Doncic said when asked when he believed the new Lakers squad could win a championship. “That simple. Since the first day everybody came together in Slovenia … I believed that we can win a championship.”

It’s not just Doncic, however. His teammates believe, with Doncic leading the way on offense, anything is possible.

“When you got a guy like Luka, going into the game you feel like you can beat anybody,” center Kevon Looney said. “He’s going to be the best player on the court probably every night we’re out there. And we feel like if we do our job, he’s going to do his job and he’s going to clinch us the game.”

At the buzzer

Star center Walker Kessler participated in practice Saturday, but sat out of live action again as he recovers from a jammed finger that has kept him off the floor in the Lakers’ first three preseason games.

Redick declined to commit to Kessler playing in the Lakers’ next preseason game Tuesday night in Las Vegas against the Warriors.

“(Kessler) was in for about half the practice and we’ll see tomorrow if he can do live,” Redick said.

When it comes to guard Collin Sexton, who has also yet to play in the preseason, Redick said he has a lower-leg injury and is “a little bit farther behind” than Kessler in his recovery. Sexton was a “modified” participant in practice, Redick added.

Redick said Thursday, when asked if there was any worry if Sexton would not be available opening night, that he was not worried.

Williams, who missed Tuesday and Thursday’s preseason games, is dealing with a foot contusion, Redick said. Two-way forward Arthur Kaluma (undisclosed lower-body injury) returned to practice Saturday.

​ Orange County Register 

Kings place Turcotte and Zuccarello on IR, Wright gets 2-year extension

• October 10, 2026

The Kings will be without a couple of players in the near term while another skater will be sticking around for a couple more years.

Twin announcements from the club Saturday indicated forward Jared Wright signed a two-year contract extension worth $925,000 annually and that Mats Zuccarello and Alex Turcotte had been placed on injured reserve.

Wright, 23, played in 23 games down the stretch last year under interim coach D.J. Smith and was set to make his season debut under Peter Laviolette on Saturday night in Vegas.

His recall was a result of the injuries to Zuccarello, who missed most of camp after a fall hurt his shoulder, and Turcotte, who was absent from practice Friday per reports.

Wright and Kenny Connors, who also debuted in March, were among the last forwards remaining in this year’s truncated training camp. Wright had four points for the Kings last season. The 2024 NCAA national champ began his campaign in the minors with a bang, scoring the overtime winner in the season opener for the Ontario Reign.

The nature and extent of the injuries to Zuccarello and Turcotte were not provided. A vague update to reporters from Laviolette on Friday seemed to indicate Turcotte, deemed day to day, was in for a shorter period on the shelf than Zuccarello, who was designated week to week.

Both players had been playing on the second line with Alex Laferriere primarily, with the recent 11-7 alignment and now their lack of availability throwing the Kings’ line combinations into flux.

They were already without Kevin Fiala, who underwent a second surgery in February on the left leg he broke at the Olympics.

While Fiala has largely proven durable outside of two grisly incidents with his left leg that happened nine years apart, Zuccarello and Turcotte have thicker medical charts.

Zuccarello, 39, signed as a free agent on a bonus-laden deal after chasing a point-per-game pace last season with the Minnesota Wild. He missed 23 games, however, and his man games lost to injury have been in the double digits for six of the past eight seasons. The Norwegian star has never played a full schedule of games in his NHL tenure.

Turcotte’s pro career was hindered by his health before it even started and his injury woes have persisted since. He was the fifth overall pick in the 2019 draft, but his development was derailed by injuries, most notably a pair of severe concussions.

Those setbacks led him to sign a three-year extension that was worth even less than his entry-level contract in the summer of 2024. Since then, he skated in a career-high 68 games two years ago and 62 last season, when his production dipped from 25 points to 14.

A void in the middle allowed him to move from a utility forward to a second-line center early this season, which is a contract year for the 25-year-old.

The Kings will return from Vegas to host the rival Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

​ Orange County Register 

Prepare for strong thunderstorms in Santa Ana Mountains Saturday afternoon – gusts could peak at 55 mph

• October 10, 2026

Santa Ana Mountains/Foothills, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys, San Bernardino County Mountains, Riverside County Mountains and San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning are the focus of a weather alert for strong thunderstorms issued at 1:41 p.m. on Saturday by the National Weather Service. The alert is in effect until 2:30 p.m.

Residents should be prepared for wind gusts of up to 55 mph.

“At 1:40 p.m., Doppler radar tracked showers along a line extending from near Valle Vista to Temescal Valley. Movement was north at 50 mph,” according to the NWS San Diego CA. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Temecula, Rialto, Redlands, Lake Elsinore, Yucaipa, Hemet, Hwy 243 Between Banning And Idyllwild, Rancho Cucamonga, Murrieta, Perris, Highland, Colton, San Jacinto, Beaumont and Banning.

According to the NWS, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, mostly during the summer. It claims the lives of about 20 people annually, according to the NWS. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:

Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
• Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
• Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
• Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Mastering wet roads: Safety tips for heavy rainfall

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the NWS to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of rapid water flow:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Reduce speed and drive cautiously:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Visibility matters:

Turn on your headlights and be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so with caution.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

For more local weather alerts, visit our Weather Advisory page

​ Orange County Register 

CatCon in Pasadena draws a lot more than 9 lives to first day of annual feline-palooza

• October 10, 2026

There was no shortage of cat ears on the long line stretching around the block outside the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday morning, Oct. 10.

CatCon was back in town for its 11th year this weekend and feline aficionados were out in droves to visit with hundreds of specialty vendors, consider adopting one of 250 kittens in attendance, but mostly to share and commiserate about their deep love of the noble kitty.

“I came last year and it was a blast,” said Debi Deckman of Santa Clarita, who was so excited to attend again that she managed to be the first on line of among more than 1,000 who queued up before the 10 a.m. start.

“We’re all a bunch of cat lovers — enthusiastic cat lovers,” said Deckman, who shares her home with Mr. Hobbs, a rescue she adopted years ago. “For me a cat is an easier pet. They’re not as demanding.”

CatCon attendee Briana Wong is now going to learn that for herself, she hopes, picking out a tiny calico kitten named Poppy to take home on Saturday.

“I think I’ve always wanted to adopt a cat,” Wong said. “CatCon is the perfect timing.”

She noted that Poppy, with a waving paw and piercing green eyes, made it clear to her they were meant to be together.

More than 250 kittens were available at CatCon through a partnership with Pasadena Humane, which offered a special adoption price of just $50 for the event instead of the regular $150 cost.

“Last year we were able to find just over 200 homes,” explained Chris Ramon, president and CEO. “This year we’re hoping for 250.”

He commended CatCon for drawing thousands of cat lovers to the city — people who can potentially adopt the large number of kittens that coincidentally have come into their care the last couple of months.

“It allows us to find hundreds of kittens’ homes over the weekend,” Ramon said. “There are many cats and kittens in shelters that need homes.”

After organizing the Cat Art Show in 2014, Susan Michals, founder of CatCon, was taken aback to see how many people — more than 4,000 — showed up over four days.

“That was when I discovered how underserved the cat-loving audience was,” said Michals, who describes CatCon as an in-person dog park for cat people. “I created CatCon as a way to build a community for cat lovers where they could celebrate, learn and engage with others who share a profound love for felines.”

Along with providing a gathering space for cat lovers, since its inception CatCon has donated over $400,000 to help cats in need, according to Michals.

“This year we are benefitting Pasadena Humane, who of course did such heroic work after the devastating wildfires last year,” she said. “They are also our adoption partner, and will be bringing over 200 kittens to our adoption village.”

Donations will also be going to Kitt Crusaders, a Los Angeles cat rescue, and RedRover, an emergency veterinary service provider that also supports domestic violence survivors and their pets.

Tail Town Cats, a nonprofit cat cafe based nearby at 1780 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena, was among the many vendors that appreciated the exposure that CatCon gave them to this consumer base.

“You can’t get a better target demographic of cat lovers,” said Gwendolyn Mathers, executive director.

Their facility offers adoption, but also operates a cafe where visitors can enjoy informal interaction and hang-out time with an array of cats.

“We’re hyper local, so at the end of CatCon if they’re looking for a place to adopt cats, we’re right around the corner,” Mathers said.

It was the third time at CatCon for Niko Collins and her coworker and friend Veronica Lopez, both of whom arrive in their cat ears and cat t-shirts.

“We love cats,” Collins said. “We are cat owners and this is just an opportunity to be around other fellow cat owners, check out new products, and meet some of the people we follow online — cat personalities.”

One of the more famous cats in attendance was Uno, a one-eared black cat that enjoys more than 200,000 followers on Instagram.

“Uno got popular on the internet and we got invited to CatCon,” explained Uno’s owner Kat Curtis. “This is our fourth year.”

“CatCon is such a fun event if you’re a cat enthusiast,” Curtis said. “I grew up with cats (and) cats have always been a part of my life. They’re a such a reliable, awesome, funny friend to have in your home.”

Lopez, the proud owner of Luna and Bean, concurred.

“I love cats,” she said. “They’re just adorable. And I love being around people who just love cats.”

CatCon returns from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. For more information, visit catconworldwide.com.

​ Orange County Register 

Rams’ Myles Garrett unlikely to return to practice next week

• October 10, 2026

LOS ANGELES — Rams defensive end Myles Garrett is eligible to return from injured reserve next week, but head coach Sean McVay said that he does not expect the two-time Defensive Player of the Year to return to practice quite yet.

Garrett had arthroscopic surgery on his knee following Week 1. It was an injury he had dealt with throughout training camp but tried to play in the season opener, only to realize how much it was hampering his play.

Following the surgery, Garrett was placed on injured reserve, ensuring he missed at least four games. But while McVay says the defensive end is still recovering on schedule, it does not look like Garrett will be ready to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6.

“It’s kind of week to week in terms of how he feels,” McVay said. “There’s a difference between return to play and return to performance. And when you do something like this, let’s put him in a good position to return to performance.”

Once Garrett hits the recovery benchmarks he needs to, the Rams will begin ramping him up at practice. But the fact that Garrett missed so much of training camp after his offseason trade to the Rams won’t delay his eventual return to game action this fall.

“A lot of that really stemmed from the irritation in the knee so hopefully that’s gone and it’s really just how quickly can the alien get up to speed for us,” McVay said. “But I think because we got that fixed and because he’s feeling so good, I think that’ll be an accelerated process. But him actually doing football-related activities and drills will be very important for us to put him in a position to join the group.”

The Rams did get some good injury news Saturday, though.

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald (knee), cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) and tight end Colby Parkinson (shoulder) were all cleared to play against the Buffalo Bills (3-1) on Monday without a game designation. Safety Quentin Lake (hip) returned to practice Saturday and, though listed as questionable, is “trending in the right direction” to play, McVay said.

Kinchens happy to be back

Safety Kamren Kinchens would rather drop back into coverage. Most of the time when a safety blitz call comes in, he lets Kam Curl take the opportunity. He even made an empty offer to Byron Young to take credit for the full sack that the two shared in Sunday’s win over the Eagles.

But on Sunday, the way the Eagles were aligned meant three of the safety blitz calls had to go to Kinchens. And the third-year player made the most of them, with two pressures and a sack.

He had a little more rust to work out in coverage after missing two games with a hamstring injury. He was targeted twice in the game, allowing two receptions for 21 yards. But it felt good to be back on the field.

“A little slow to get started, but after that, I was rolling,” Kinchens said. “Once I got back in that groove and just, you know, just got back to having fun, it was great.”

​ Orange County Register 

Galaxy visit St. Louis to kick off a crucial, busy week

• October 10, 2026

CARSON — To say that this is a big week for the Galaxy would be an understatement.

It also could be a season-defining stretch.

The Galaxy have six games remaining in the regular season and they will play half of them in a seven-day stretch, starting Sunday on the road against St. Louis CITY SC.

“You get to this time of year and a three-game week in which two of the three are at home, there’s a huge opportunity in that,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “We are in a playoff position right now. We have a very small cushion. I think this gives you a chance to even create separation if you can have a really good week.

“Our goal here is to try to prepare one at a time, but have a little bit of a view of what the week looks like because we certainly have guys who aren’t going to play every game in every minute, so trying to have a good plan where we keep balance through the course of the week and give ourselves the best chance to take maximum points.”

The Galaxy (9-10-9, 36 points) are in ninth place, the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. After Sunday, they will return home to face the Portland Timbers and then Saturday host San Diego FC, both with 32 points and behind the Galaxy entering this weekend.

“I think it’s the most important week this year,” Galaxy forward João Klauss said. “This is the type of week that shows the strength of the group. In weeks like this, it’s impossible to play 11 players for 90 minutes three times. We’re going to need everyone.”

For Klauss, Sunday is a bit of a homecoming. Klauss joined St. Louis in 2022 and was the club’s first Designated Player.

“Very special place,” Klauss of St. Louis. “When I arrived there, the stadium wasn’t ready, so I watched all the process. Then the first year, the expansion year. A lot of great memories from St. Louis. A lot of friends there. Excited to be back there and see everyone.

“I think most of the people there have a good relationship. Not all of them, but with the fans, I always showed a lot of respect for them, for the club, for the future of the club, for the owners. So yeah, I’m sure it would be nice to be back there, see everyone, and see the fans again.

The Galaxy will face a St. Louis team that has been one of the hottest in the league. St. Louis (13-6-8, 47 points) is unbeaten in its last 17 games and has jumped to second place in the Western Conference. The Galaxy are winless in seven meetings all-time against St. Louis and have allowed three goals in each of the last three meetings, including a 3-1 defeat July 22 at home.

“We got to be stingier on the defensive end and we’ve got to take advantage because a lot of these games will come down to just moments,” Vanney said. “We’ve got to be calculated and clean when we have the ball and the build-outs, and they are pressing us in man-on-man.

“I think there’s opportunity inside of those moments, but in seeking those opportunities, we got to make sure that we don’t put ourselves in bad situations. So, I think it’s going to be an interesting game.”

Lozano sidelined

Forward Chucky Lozano, who suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Mexico, will be out at least for this upcoming week, Vanney said.

The initial timeline is for Lozano, on loan for the rest of the season from San Diego FC, to be out for two weeks.

GALAXY (9-10-9, 36 points) at ST. LOUIS CITY SC (13-6-8, 47 points)

When: 4 p.m. PT Sunday

Where: Energizer Park, St. Louis, Mo.

How to watch: Apple TV

​ Orange County Register 

Newport Beach closes beaches, piers as Tropical Storm Rachel threatens more flooding

• October 10, 2026

Newport Beach closed all city beaches and piers Saturday morning, Oct. 10, as crews worked to alleviate coastal flooding, and as Tropical Storm Rachel approaches Southern California, threatening heavy rain, strong winds and even more of a mess on Sunday.

The closures came a day after powerful swells and unusually high tides sent seawater spilling onto streets in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, forcing road closures and prompting crews to pump water from neighborhoods.

In Long Beach, punishing waves battered the Peninsula on Friday, damaging a protective bulkhead, flooding nearby homes and streets and prompting evacuations, with some homes red tagged after being swamped by unusually high tides.

“It’s bad. It’s going to be a lot of things to fix when this is over,” said Long Beach Peninsula resident Brian Gerrard on Saturday. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime storm. Who’s prepared for that?”

And the worst may be ahead.

The National Weather Service has issued coastal flood warnings for Orange County and Los Angeles County beaches, including Long Beach and Malibu, through 3 p.m. Sunday, warning that damaging floods and beach erosion are likely.

The morning high tide occurred around 9:15 a.m. Saturday in Newport Beach and 9:25 a.m. in Long Beach. On Sunday, the high tide is forecast around 9:40 a.m. in Newport Beach and 9:50 a.m. in Long Beach, when powerful surf could again send seawater into vulnerable coastal communities.

High tides are expected to reach between 7.3 and 7.5 feet along the Los Angeles County coast this weekend.

The weather service warned that Sunday could bring even higher water levels if lower atmospheric pressure associated with Rachel and stronger onshore winds coincide with the morning high tide.

Meanwhile, Rachel’s moisture is expected to combine with another weather system, bringing widespread rain to Southern California beginning late Saturday.

As of 8 a.m., Rachel had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving northeast at 22 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm’s precise track remained uncertain, but forecasters said its center was most likely to move into northern Baja California, south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

A less likely track farther north could increase rainfall and wind impacts in Southern California.

The National Weather Service forecast rainfall totals ranging from about three-tenths to half an inch in northwestern Orange County to three-quarters of an inch to 2 inches in parts of the Inland Empire.

Mountain areas of the Inland Empire could receive 2 to 3 inches, with higher amounts possible in some spots, said Casey Oswant, a meteorologist with the NWS.

The heaviest rainfall could produce flash flooding, particularly in mountainous areas and near wildfire burn scars.

A flood watch was issued for the San Bernardino and Riverside county mountains and several desert areas from Saturday evening through Sunday evening.

Mountain communities including Wrightwood and Oak Glen could face flooding concerns because of steep terrain and nearby wildfire burn scars.

Forecasters warned that rainfall rates in some mountain areas could reach half an inch to an inch per hour, potentially triggering flash flooding and debris flows.

Gusty winds are also expected Sunday, with gusts of 25 to 45 mph possible across coastal and inland areas and stronger gusts near mountain ridges.

Los Angeles County is expected to see lighter rainfall than areas farther south, although an approaching low-pressure system will help draw tropical moisture into the region.

In Long Beach on Saturday morning, a city crew remained at 63rd Place and Ocean Boulevard, pumping water from the ocean that was traveling toward Ocean Boulevard back out toward Alamitos Bay as nearby residents milled about, observing the scene and taking photos or videos on their phones. One man wheeled a cart full of sandbags, presumably back to his home.

Jim Gesner, a 16-year resident of the Peninsula community, said his home on 67th Place hasn’t been directly impacted by the flooding, but he spent the last couple days moving some items from the first floor to higher ground as a precaution.

He recalled some flooding about 11 years ago but said it was nothing like what the city is facing this weekend.

“I feel really bad for my neighbors who have property on the beach. They’re losing their houses,” he said, adding that many residents don’t bother purchasing flood insurance because it’s so expensive.

At the same time, Gesner said it was reassuring to see more city workers out Saturday morning, helping pump out the ocean water to keep the street from flooding. Ocean Boulevard was flooded from about 62nd to 65th Place on Friday morning before City workers cleared much of the water out by about noon, he said.

“I think they’re doing what they can at the moment,” he said.

The National Weather Service predicted a quarter-inch to an inch of rain through Monday, with locally higher amounts possible in the mountains, particularly the eastern San Gabriel Mountains.

Another round of rain is possible Monday, along with a slight chance of thunderstorms.

Temperatures will also remain considerably cooler than during Southern California’s prolonged October heat wave, with highs generally in the 60s and low 70s by Monday.

Along the coast, forecasters warned that the combination of high tides, incoming swells and onshore winds could create particularly dangerous conditions Sunday.

A high surf advisory is in effect for Los Angeles County beaches from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, with waves of 4 to 7 feet expected, along with strong rip currents and significant beach erosion.

Large breaking waves could sweep people off beaches and rocks or capsize small boats near shore, the National Weather Service warned.

Orange County beaches could see surf of 5 to 7 feet, with local sets reaching 9 feet Sunday. On Saturday morning, the Crystal Cove Conservancy announced it would temporarily close some of its popular beachfront vacation cottages.

In Newport Beach, city crews spent Friday into Saturday pumping seawater from flooded streets and reinforcing sand berms to protect vulnerable neighborhoods.

The flooding came just days before a Newport Beach City Council study session scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, to discuss severe beach erosion, sand replenishment and possible long-term shoreline protection strategies.

Councilmember Erik Weigand visited the Balboa Peninsula on Friday with Brett Sanders, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of UC Irvine’s Climate Collaboration, to survey the flooding.

“I don’t see this ending,” Weigand said. “Maybe this El Nino comes and goes, but what about the next El Nino. What does it mean for our residence, tourism and our businesses?”

The flooding concerns could persist well beyond this weekend.

Sanders said tides are expected to reach about 7 feet around Thanksgiving and Christmas. If Kelvin waves — ocean disturbances that can temporarily raise sea levels — persist, water levels could rise as much as 2 feet above normal, potentially producing 9-foot tides.

“Pray there aren’t waves at the same time,” Sanders said. “If the waves come at the same time, we’re in for a lot of trouble.”

City News Service contributed to this report.

​ Orange County Register 

Football roundup: Corona del Mar, Trabuco Hills, Marina get big wins in Week 7

• October 10, 2026

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

Corona del Mar scored 28 unanswered points in a 28-14 win over Tustin on Friday in a Bravo League game at Newport Harbor High.

Corona del Mar (7-0, 2-0) is 7-0 for the second consecutive season.

Will Ingham and Chase Kuchera each had touchdown receptions for the Sea Kings. John David Annett and Nolan Scott threw touchdown passes. Princeton commit Tucker Murray ran for a 5-yard touchdown.

Troy Merriman had a fumble recovery for Corona del Mar and Max Brindel had an interception.

Hayden Koo had a rushing touchdown for Tustin (4-3, 0-2) and Rufai Azeez returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

In other games Friday:

In the Trinity League:

Santa Margarita 27, Servite 3: Santa Margarita extended its winning streak to 13 games with a win over Servite at Saddleback College.

The Eagles had three rushing touchdowns, two from Adrian Petero and one from Jaion Smith. Fletch Palmer threw a touchdown pass to Grant Van Raaphorst.

Santa Margarita (7-0, 2-0) is 7-0 for the first time since 1997.

Freshman Aydan Steen led Santa Margarita’s defense with 14 tackles and a sack. USC commit Isaia Vandermade had two sacks with a forced fumble. Smith and Ceejay Tuimauga recovered fumbles for the Eagles.

KJ Ashley and Devin Brown had interceptions for Servite (3-4, 0-2). Eli Gonzalez made a field goal to give the Friars a 3-0 lead in the first quarter.

Santa Margarita plays St. John Bosco on Friday, Oct. 16, in a game that might decide the Trinity League championship.

In the Alpha League: 

San Clemente 40, Los Alamitos 0: Jaxson Rex returned an interception for a touchdown and had a touchdown reception for San Clemente.

San Clemente (7-0, 2-0) is 7-0 for the first time since 2017.

The Tritons will play Mission Viejo on Friday, Oct. 16, in a game that might decide the league championship.

The Tritons had five sacks on defense. Tate Bollard had four tackles with an interception and Rex added a sack.

In the Epsilon League:

Trabuco Hills 49, Foothill 42: Jackson Verplancke had three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns for Trabuco Hills in a come-from-behind win.

Trabuco Hills (5-2, 2-0) trailed 21-7 in the first half.

Nate Davis had 108 yards receiving with two touchdowns and Luke Hoffman ran for 190 yards. Owen Bailey had an interception and a fumble recovery for the Mustangs. Logan Zack had 13 tackles with a sack. Riley Overman and Cason Casas each recovered fumbles.

Fysher Jamieson completed 16 of 21 passes for 249 yards with four touchdowns for Foothill (2-5, 0-2). Gavin Fenton had two touchdown catches and Ford Wooten added one. Aidan Feraj and Fenton had touchdown runs.

Newport Harbor 44, Tesoro 19: Ryan Palmer had three touchdown receptions for Newport Harbor in a road win over Tesoro.

Jordan Spigarelli threw for 161 yards with two touchdowns and Darian Leyva added a touchdown pass. Pepe Tena ran for 119 yards with a touchdown and Ryder Godbold added a touchdown run. Wyatt Wilson returned an interception for a touchdown for Newport Harbor (5-2, 2-0).

Jayden Hansen threw a touchdown pass and ran for a touchdown for Tesoro (1-6, 0-2). Jack Gaya and Trent Thomas had touchdown receptions.

In the Kappa League:

St. Margaret’s 24, Portola 15: St. Margaret’s snapped a two-game losing streak with a home win over Portola.

Kai Letcher threw three touchdown passes to Jack Kleinhanzl for St. Margaret’s (5-2, 1-1). Letcher threw for 196 yards and Kleinhanzl had 108 receiving. Gavin Taylor had a forced fumble for the Tartans. Sawyer Collins and Ethan lavender each recovered fumbles.

Gavin Morrell and Mason Mapstone each ran for touchdowns for Portola (5-2, 1-1).

Sunny Hills 17, Esperanza 14: Devin Dotinga made a game-winning field goal with 25 seconds remaining in the game for Sunny Hills (3-4, 1-1).

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Sunny Hills.

Quin Miller had a rushing touchdown for Esperanza (3-4, 0-2) and Jaden Partridge threw a touchdown pass to Logan Aguilarr.

— Michael Huntley

In the Delta League:

Troy 36, Western 7: Mason Mays completed 15 of 23 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown and Andrew Green had six catches for 166 yards and one score to pace the Warriors (4-3, 1-1).

Troy held Western (0-7, 0-2) to 30 yards rushing and forced five turnovers. Green, Tyriq Brown and Noah Torosian had interceptions for Troy. Torosian, a senior, leads the Warriors with four interceptions.

In the Foxtrot League:

Irvine 28, Beckman 27: Will Walters intercepted a 2-point conversion with 4:27 left in the fourth quarter to preserve the lead and Seamus Hoffman ran for four touchdowns as the Vaqueros (5-2, 1-1) held on for the victory.

Hoffman helped Irvine run out the clock after the interception and finished with over 200 yards rushing. Kyle Fogarty added seven receptions to balance Irvine’s attack.

Beckman (1-6, 0-2) lost its fourth consecutive game.

In the Iota League:

Pacifica 31, Northwood 24: Zack Dickison and Joseph Pham-Ngoy each scored two touchdowns to help the Mariners (6-1, 1-1) rally in the second half.

Dickison rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Mariners capitalized on a pair of fumbles. The senior snapped a 17-17 tie with a 2-yard TD run and added an 18-yard score.

Pham-Ngoy broke an 80-yard touchdown run in the first half. Pacifica forced four turnovers.

Northwood (3-4, 0-2) led 17-7 in the third quarter.

Marina 32, Laguna Hills 31: Kris Garcia intercepted a pass deep in Marina territory with about three minutes left to help the Vikings (4-3, 2-0) seal a victory against Laguna Hills (5-2, 1-1).

Ben Ramos had 32 carries for 169 yards and three touchdowns to power the Marina offense. The senior has rushed for at least 100 yards in six consecutive games and has 969 yards for the season.

Marina’s Maverick Coverick completed 12 of 19 passes for 198 yards and two TDs.  Jonny Byer led the Marina defense with 12 tackles and a sack. Cameron Evans added 10 tackles and a sack.

In the Lambda League:

Sonora 17, Westminster 14: First-year kicker Ronaldo Arevalo made a game-winning 11-yard field goal with two seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift the Raiders (6-1, 1-1) past the Lions (5-2, 1-1).

Arevalo is a soccer player at Sonora who joined his friends to play football, Raiders coach Andrew Cedergren said.

Sonora’s Levi Santos threw touchdowns to Matthew Shaw and Cash Spurgeon.

Calvary Chapel 14: Valencia 12: Colin Wiles threw two touchdowns in the first half and the Eagles (4-3, 1-1) held off the Tigers (4-3, 0-2) in the second half.

Valencia missed on a pair of 2-point conversions after failing behind 8-0. The Tigers also lost 14-12 to Westminster in the first round of the league.

— Dan Albano

​ Orange County Register