SEAL BEACH : Rains Evoke Memory of 1983 Storm Havoc

For some residents, the heavy rains that recently battered the county evoked troubling memories of the storms that wrought havoc and destruction along the Seal Beach coastline in 1983.

The fierce storm finally departed and Seal Beach emerged relatively unscathed. Aside from minor flooding, the rains caused little visible damage.

In fact, the Seal Beach Pier--battered badly during the 1983 storms--was alive with tourists, surfers and residents a week ago even as rain pelted the sands.

One reason for the calm and slight damage was that officials and residents learned their lesson during weaker rains that fell earlier in the month.

Three weeks ago, several homes near Anaheim Bay were flooded when showers transformed a portion of Ocean Avenue into a river of muddy water.

The flooding occurred because two flood control drains nearby were blocked by downed trees, said Seal Beach Police Sgt. Dean Zanone.

The water eventually made it into several homes, saturating carpets.

By the time last week’s rains came, residents near Anaheim Bay had stacked sandbags and plastic tarps in front of driveways, doors and windows.

Although parts of Ocean Avenue were flooded, no serious damage was reported.

Peter Le Bas, who owns a limousine company on the street, said he was able to move his vehicles before the rising waters damaged them.

The only other significant flooding was reported on 7th Street between Marina Drive and Electric Avenue.

When last week’s storm finally ended, residents were relieved.

“It could have been much worse,” said resident Maxine Richards. “I remember 10 years ago, and that was bad. . . . We made it through fine.”