Pacific Coast Highway crack shuts lane near Laguna Beach
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Blue sky over the farthest south end of Crystal Cove beach, Southern California in summer(Getty Images/iStockphoto)Months of pounding surf have left a massive crack in the cliff supporting California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway, raising concerns that more of the coastal roadway could be at risk as El Niño strengthens. The damage near Laguna Beach, next to the Crystal Cove State Park lifeguard headquarters, forced Caltrans to close one southbound lane between El Morro Canyon and Irvine Cove. The closure is expected to last several days or longer, with no reopening timeline announced. State Parks has already closed portions of Crystal Cove and San Onofre State Beach following damaging surf from Tropical Storm Rachel. Visitors staying in 26 beach cottages were also evacuated as crews assessed the damage. Waves, high tides and El Niño take a tollThe crack follows months of powerful waves battering Southern California, fueled by recent hurricane swells, high tides and developing El Niño conditions. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.
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