FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2026
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Foley
(657) 334-4930 | alyssa.napuri@bos5.oc.gov
OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement on Temporary Coastal Rail Line Closures in San Clemente, Red-Tagged Beachfront Homes in Dana Point
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Today, OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley released a statement on impacts of high tide events over Labor Day weekend which led to coastal rail line closures in San Clemente and red-tagged homes in Dana Point. On Monday night, OCTA reported waves overtopping the tracks, washing away previously placed riprap and causing further deterioration along the adjacent slope in several locations. As of today, the rail line in the affected areas remains closed while crews assess conditions and remain on site to monitor the coastline. Stabilization repairs will continue as conditions allow, but severe high tides are expected to continue through Thursday. The current rail closure has suspended Metrolink, Amtrack, and freight rail operation services. The timeline for reopening is currently unknown.
“Solutions for protecting our rail line and coast are long overdue. Rail service suspension impacts residents and threatens our local economy, national security, and coastal way of life.” says Supervisor Katrina Foley. “A wide, sandy beach offers the best protection for our rail line and properties along the coast. When we get through this storm season, we must restore adequate sand nourishment to support the rail and coastal infrastructure.”
During the closure, Metrolink is operating as far south as the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station. Amtrack’s Pacific Surfliner will operate as far south as San Juan Capistrano and providing a bus bridge between Irvine and Oceanside. Passengers are being advised to check metrolinktrains.com and pacificsurfliner.com/alerts for the latest service information and updates. OCTA monitors the situation and will continue coordinating with rail partners, contractors, and track inspectors to provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
Additionally, more than a dozen homes in Capistrano Beach sustained extensive damage from extreme waves this past weekend, including several receiving red-tags from the City of Dana Point. In collaboration with the CA Costal Commission, the City of Dana Point expedited demolition of a home to provide beach-access for boulder placement reinforcing the seawall before this week’s extreme wave events. There are no current sinkholes reported at Beach Road, but staff continue to monitor.
At the County’s Capistrano Beach, Orange County Parks reported no infrastructure damage. The parking lot remains closed while crews clear debris and rocks that washed ashore.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as information becomes available.
To inquire about Supervisor Foley’s media availability, please contact Alyssa Napuri at (657) 334-4930.
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Orange County Housing Finance Trust
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
Olympics 28 Ad Hoc Committee
Urban Counties Caucus
