Beachfront homeowners in Huntington Beach are being warned to prepare for potentially damaging tides ahead of Thanksgiving or face fines of up to $1,000 if they fail to take precautions.

Residents along Sunset Beach began receiving notices from officials last week, giving them just three days to make changes to their properties before another round of powerful tides was expected to hit the coastline, according to NBC4.

The notices instructed Orange County homeowners to clear drainage areas, remove or secure loose objects and install sandbags or other flood barriers approximately two feet high to prevent water from entering their properties.

But some residents say the city gave them an unrealistic amount of time to complete the work.

Amy Oeste, one of the homeowners who received a notice, told NBC4 that the three-day deadline had already expired by the time she spoke with the network.

“They posted it on a Thursday evening, and it says three days, which means like Sunday. And that’s kind of ridiculous, especially when you have this much space to take care of,” she told NBC4.

Oeste also questioned whether taking all the required precautions would actually keep her property safe, particularly if neighboring homeowners failed to do the same.

She worried that water could still flood her home from adjacent properties, saying it was “just going to come in.”

City officials told NBC4 that inspections had not yet begun but were expected to take place in the coming days.

Homeowners who fail to comply with the requirements could face penalties ranging from $200 to $1,000, although officials emphasized that they intend to work with residents before resorting to citations.

The possibility of financial penalties has frustrated some residents, who told NBC4 that the city’s approach was “extreme.”

“I guess they’re trying to make it be as serious as possible,” resident Greg Wagner told the outlet.

Wagner said his property sits in a flood-prone area, yet he had not received one of the notices.

For residents unsure how to comply with the city’s requirements, officials said they could request an on-site visit from a city representative who would explain what improvements were necessary.

Huntington Beach officials maintained that their priority was to help residents protect their homes ahead of the next storm rather than punish them financially. As of Wednesday, the city had not issued any fines, according to NBC4.

Meanwhile, nearby Newport Beach has taken similar enforcement measures to prepare coastal properties for flooding.

Officials there have already issued 21 notices of violation to homeowners, along with two citations carrying $200 fines each.

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